Product Description
In Old English, the term 'wassail' has a variety of meanings regarding secular festivities and salutations at New Year. Similarly, the traditional wassail folk-song or carol exists in many versions, from various counties right across England, with differing lyrics and (numbers of) verses, dating back as far as at least the 12th century. My own setting uses an original folk-style melody, here presented in a version for two-part choir (S/T & A/B), or duet, and piano/organ. The words are adapted from a version of the Yorkshire Wassail (courtesy of the Yorkshire Wassail Group) from Todmorden (where the Town Hall sits on the traditional Lancashire/Yorkshire border). Following an introduction, and the use of a recurring 'turnaround' between verses, the work presents the melody in a set of 5-verse variations: initially on (optional) solo voice, then in alternating parts, then in two-part harmony, then in a two-part canon by one bar, and finally in a closer, circular canon by half a bar, followed by a coda. The work is highly accessible for the listener, and is very singable for most standards of two-part choir, or duet, with accompanist. The piece is also available in versions for solo/unison voices, SATB choir & piano/organ, and for unaccompanied SATB choir, all also from Sheet Music Plus.
Duration: 3 minutes 30 seconds.
Registered with PRS (Performing Rights Society, UK).
Composer's website: www.roberthowardmusic.co.uk
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