Michael Hurd: Pop Cantatas (CD)

Naxos CD of The New London Children's Choir and Ronald Corp, performing five of Michael Hurd's pop cantatas: Jonah-Man Jazz, Prodigal, Rooster Rag, Swingin’ Samson, Captain Coram’s Kids.

Michael Hurd was a pioneer in composing brief, witty and, above all, performable choral music for children to enjoy. When Jonah-Man Jazz arrived in 1966, young singers and their teachers had modern-sounding music to make and share. Pastiche jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll rhythms, memorable tunes and entertaining lyrics proved a winning combination, as they also do in Swingin’ Samson, Rooster Rag, Prodigal and Captain Coram’s Kids. This recording is the first to be supported by the British Music Society Charitable Trust Michael Hurd Bequest, established to further the appreciation of the composers output.