"Comin' Thro' the Rye" is a poem written in 1782 by Robert Burns (1759–96). The words are set to the melody of the Scottish Minstrel "Common' Frae The Toun". (This is a variant of the tune to which Auld Lang Syne is usually sung—the melodic shape is alm...  more"Comin' Thro' the Rye" is a poem written in 1782 by Robert Burns (1759–96). The words are set to the melody of the Scottish Minstrel "Common' Frae The Toun". (This is a variant of the tune to which Auld Lang Syne is usually sung—the melodic shape is almost identical, the difference lying in the tempo and rhythm.) It is performed here by the dwsChorale, with a cheeky insertion of a hornpipe! Gin a body meet a body Comin' thro' the rye Gin a body kiss a body Need a body cry? Ilka lassie has her laddie Nane, they say, hae I Yet a' the lads they smile at me When comin' thro' the rye. Gin a body meet a body Comin' frae the toun Gin a body greet a body Need a body froun? Ilka lassie has her laddie Nane, they say, hae I Yet a' the lads they smile at me When comin' thro' the rye. Gin a body meet a body, Comin' frae the well, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body tell? 'Mang the train there is a swain I dearly lo'e mysel' But what his name or whaur his hame I dinna care to tell  less

La Folia (literally "madness") was a Portuguese dance from the renaissance, and it has been used by many composers in the ensuing centuries. This a-cappella 4-voice version uses three altos and one bass, a cappella. It explores a couple of alternative m...  moreLa Folia (literally "madness") was a Portuguese dance from the renaissance, and it has been used by many composers in the ensuing centuries. This a-cappella 4-voice version uses three altos and one bass, a cappella. It explores a couple of alternative modes for the theme: Octatonic and Dorian. Singing of folia this old tune repeats all day and even in the new Octatonic mode we can sing folia all the day long in this five Time and we sing it in Octatonic mode madness all is madness while we're singing of la folia and in five Time and Octatonic mode can't leave off la folia it will drive me round the bend soon and I'll shortly change to some other mode Sing it in the Dorian sing it in the Dorian oh I love the Dorian it makes me dream on  less

Performance with words for singing along: Based on The Expotition to the North Pole (Winnie the Pooh). Narrator, various spoken and singing voices and instruments

Setting of the incantation of the three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, for three altos and guitar. Performed by the composer.

Arrangement based on Bach's harmonisation of the old German Christmas tune O Jesulein süß O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild! Des Vaters Willn hast du erfüllt; Bist kommen aus dem Himmelreich, Uns armen Menschen worden gleich, O Jesulein süß, o Jesule...  moreArrangement based on Bach's harmonisation of the old German Christmas tune O Jesulein süß O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild! Des Vaters Willn hast du erfüllt; Bist kommen aus dem Himmelreich, Uns armen Menschen worden gleich, O Jesulein süß, o Jesulein mild! [O little one sweet o little one mild You have fulfilled your Father's will You've come down from the heavens and become the same as us mortals O little one sweet o little one mild] [etc]  

St Helen's church in Hollinfare celebrated its 500th anniversary in 1997 and invited the gentlemen of Manchester Cathedral Voluntary Choir to sing at the celebratory service. The service included a Jubilate, which I wrote especially for the purpose as a...  moreSt Helen's church in Hollinfare celebrated its 500th anniversary in 1997 and invited the gentlemen of Manchester Cathedral Voluntary Choir to sing at the celebratory service. The service included a Jubilate, which I wrote especially for the purpose as a psalm chant.  

Arrangement of an old English folk song for three voices (ATB) The keeper did a-hunting go (run away) and under his cloak he carried a bow (run away my dear) all for to shoot at a merry little doe among the leaves so green oh. Jackie boy! ...  moreArrangement of an old English folk song for three voices (ATB) The keeper did a-hunting go (run away) and under his cloak he carried a bow (run away my dear) all for to shoot at a merry little doe among the leaves so green oh. Jackie boy! Master? Sing ye well? Very well! hey down, ho down derry derry down among the leaves so green oh with a hey down down with a ho down down hey down ho down derry derry down among the leaves so-green oh The first doe he shot at and missed the second doe he trimmed he kissed the third doe went where nobody wist among the leaves so green oh Oh run away my dear!  less

PRO VOCAL VOX – STAIRWAY TO PARADISE [2014/12] [Maestro: Dionísio Vila Maior] George Gershwin B. G. de Sylva Arthur Francis Ar: Donald Moore

Thomas Weelkes' madrigal transposed down for men's voices and sung by the dwsChorale Originally published in Balletts and Madrigals, to Five Voyces, 1598. Hark, all ye lovely saints above Diana hath agreed with Love, His fiery weapon to remove. F...  moreThomas Weelkes' madrigal transposed down for men's voices and sung by the dwsChorale Originally published in Balletts and Madrigals, to Five Voyces, 1598. Hark, all ye lovely saints above Diana hath agreed with Love, His fiery weapon to remove. Fa la la. Do you not see How they agree? Then cease fair ladies; why weep ye? Fa la la. See, see, your mistress bids you cease, and welcome Love, with love's increase, Diana hath procured your peace. Fa la la. Cupid hath sworn His bow forlorn To break and burn, ere ladies mourn. Fa la la.  less

Setting of the incantation of the three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, for three altos and guitar. Performed by the composer. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd Thrice and once the hedgepig whin'd Harper cries: 'Tis Time, 'tis Time. ...  moreSetting of the incantation of the three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, for three altos and guitar. Performed by the composer. Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd Thrice and once the hedgepig whin'd Harper cries: 'Tis Time, 'tis Time. Round about the cauldron go; In the poison'd entrails throw. Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights hast thirty one Swelter'd venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i' the charmed pot. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the cauldron boil and bake; Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hellbroth boil and bubble. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Witch's mummy, maw and gulf Of the ravin'd saltsea shark, ...    less