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The Sheffield Book of
edited by Ian Russell
‘The Big Set at the Cock
Inn, Oughtibridge,
c.1906’
From the
Goddard family
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THIS COLLECTION makes available
music that has previously been locked away in private family
manuscripts, thereby opening up a door to a whole new dimension of
sound. The performance of these carols to the grandeur of a full
instrumental accompaniment has been a feature of the Festival of Village
Carols since 1994. This music provides the means to create such
performances _ set in full score with most carols in four voice parts,
three string parts, and a keyboard reduction. Moreover, the parts have
been transposed to fall within the range of normal voices. It should be
stressed that performance is also successful with keyboard accompaniment
or sung a cappella.
The manuscripts originate from
family groups, most notably the Mount family from Worrall, whose string
parts date from the late nineteenth century. They were members of a
perambulating carol party known as the Big Set, which was active for at
least seventy years prior to the Second World War in the Worrall,
Oughtibridge, Loxley, and Wadsley districts. They were largely
self-taught musicians, who learnt their art and tradition by aural/oral
means. Their carols were very special to them and membership of the
group was by invitation only.
The two main singing parts, with
their fuguing passages, characterise the tradition. The style of
performance is robust and generally fortissimo, with an air of
competition between the parts. The impression is of polyphony rather
than sweet harmony dramatic, animated and uninhibited.
The instrumental parts are equally
vigorous, highly rhythmic in fairly strict tempo, with attacking use of
the bow, and minimal use of expression or vibrato. They sound just as
striking on other instruments appropriate to the ‘church gallery band’
sound clarinets, oboes, flutes, bassoons, French horns, free reed
instruments, as well as brass instruments.
The volume comes with a scholarly
introduction that effectively explains the history and social context of
the carolling tradition and its repertoire, the manuscript sources and
editorial method, and offers guidance to performance. From a glance at
the detailed notes to the carols, the reader will quickly be aware that
the origins and development of this repertoire of highly localised
provenance are complex with local, regional, national and international
roots. |
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The forty-four carols presented
in this collection are part of an active traditional repertoire that is
performed in pubs, as well as chapels, churches, homes, and in the open
air, in villages to the north-west of Sheffield. With its roots in
eighteenth-century English vernacular musical life, it is a tradition of
carolling that largely predates the predominant Victorian conception.
'One of the richest and most
vigorous singing traditions alive in Britain today is presented here in
a form accessible to any group of singers and musicians, backed up
thorough scholarship and a deep understanding of its local background.
Whether you are fascinated by popular culture and musical history, or
just enjoy a really good sing, this is an essential collection.'
Dave Townsend, Director of the Mellstock Band |
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'This volume is the product of a vital musical tradition. Carol singing
in South Yorkshire takes its repertory from popular church music and
secular material of past times, melding them into a lively presence
today involving thousands of people. It draws on oral tradition and
written transmission; part singing (including the use of 'fuguing'
tunes) is a central feature of this tradition. In his sympathetic
editing, Russell uses his extensive knowledge to produce a work which is
totally rooted in scholarly understanding of historical and oral sources
and yet is capable of providing a cornerstone for ongoing performance.'
Dr Vic Gammon, Senior Lecturer in Folk and Traditional Music,
Newcastle University |
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'This remarkable book is the result of Russell's years of dedicated
effort to unearth and tell the musical and social history of this
carolling tradition, to document its present state, and to strengthen it
for the future. Scholars, musicians, and singers will find much to learn
from and to use here.'
Dr Tim Lloyd, Executive Director of the American Folklore Society. |
Casebound ISBN 0-9524871-3-6
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TO
PURCHASE Print this page and use the
Order Form below.
Alternatively, download the
Flyer here, (in PDF format), print out and send to the address below: |
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ORDER FORM
Casebound ISBN 0-9524871-3-6
Price: £16.00 + £6.00 UK post & packing
£16.00 + £10.00 EU post & packing
£16.00 + £14.00 airmail worldwide post & packing
To order, please fill in the form and send with payment to:
Village Carols P. O. Box 2099
Sheffield
S35 0XU UK
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