Text: John Masefield
Tenor or baritone and piano
Duration: 6′
Commissioned by Jane Wickenden
First performance 23 December, 2006 | Richard Latham (baritone) and Victoria Savage (piano) | Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London
Written for the occasion of her husband Robin’s 50th birthday.
Published by the composer; for more information please contact
mcdowall@ceciliamcdowall.co.uk
Programme note
Soprano and piano
Text: Kevin Crossley-Holland | Caroline Natzler | Sean Street | Simon Mundy
Commissioned by Nicholas Jardine
Duration: 10′
Oxford University Press
First performance Presteigne Festival 2015 | Gillian Keith, soprano | Timothy End, piano
‘If there are angels’ pubblished by Boosey & Hawkes is on the Associated Board grade 8 Syllabus.
‘McDowall shows an instinctive understanding of the human voice, and how it can be used to enhance and shape the meaning of words. The four short songs, to texts by living poets, although at times angular and not conventionally tuneful, have an enticing imaginative quality – especially the ghostly ‘Angels on Radar’ – and McDowall uses the piano in a rewardingly colourful way that exploits it entire compass. There’s even humour, with the final song racily depicting a football match between angels and devils.’ Birmingham Post”
Programme note
Review available
Link to Score:
http://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Boosey-Hawkes-Song-Collection-vol-2-1901-2004/905904
Soprano and piano or string orchestra
‘Four Shakespeare Songs’ sets texts exploring different aspects of love. Using passages from A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Hamlet, As You Like It, and Anthony and Cleopatra, McDowall’s writing is beautiful and clever in how it reflects the moods and emotions of the various characters in the texts.
Duration: 10 minutes
Oxford University Press
First performance 1992 | Gillian Humphreys (s), Courtney Kenny (pft) | Southwark Cathedral, London
An accompaniment for string orchestra is available on hire.
Programme note
Link to Score:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/four-shakespeare-songs-9780193396944
Text: Dylan Thomas
Baritone and piano
Duration: 9′
Oxford University Press
First performance 7 October, 2014 | Jeremy Huw Williams, baritone | Nigel Foster, piano
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
This work, commissioned by Jeremy Huw Williams in association with the Vaughan Williams Trust, sets three poems by Dylan Thomas. The first is melancholic in character; the second contrasts the fearlessness of childhood with the caution of adulthood; and the third is a joyful setting that moves through the four seasons of the year.
Link to Score:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/if-i-touched-the-earth-9780193404021
Text: Simon Mundy
Soprano, piano
Duration: 15 minutes
1: The Buzzard | 2: Four | 3: Summergill | 4: Flat Out | 5: Radnor (New) | 6: Radnor (Old), Church and Harp
Gemini Publications (contact composer)
Commissioned by Presteigne Festival of Music and the Arts
First performance 29 August, 2005 | Rachel Nicholls (s), Paul Plummer (pft) | St Andrew’s Church, Presteigne, Wales
A cycle of six songs about the Welsh countryside.
Also scored for chamber orchestra. For hire of score and parts or more information please contact the composer.
Programme note
Text: Irina Ratushinskaya
High or meduim voice, piano
Duration: 10′
1: Song of the Mice | 2: Chipmunk
Gemini Publications (contact composer)
Commissioned by Mary Hamilton
First performance 6 October, 1996 | Mary Hamilton (a), Kathron Sturrock (pf) | St Olave’s, London