Various: Pastorale  

Reviews

Nigel Perrin's new volume in Boosey & Hawkes's ongoing "Concerts for Choirs" series draws together an anthology of accompanied and unaccompanied choral pieces on the subject, as the attractive cover proclaims, of "nature in all its diversity". If you were planning a theme-based summer concert, this volume would serve many of your needs.

As might be expected, British composers are well represented. Perennial favourites include the usual arrangement of Vaughn Williams's "Linden Lea" and Stanford's "The Blue Bird", as well as choral songs by Finzi and Delius. Of the latter's pieces, Perrin has chosen the first and second settings of "To be sung on a summer night on the water", which will task all but the best vocal groups. Less familiar items include two of Britten's "Five Flower Songs" and Quilter's setting of Herrick's "To daffodils".

Choir & Organ magazine