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The Sheffield Book of
edited by Ian Russell
Second Edition now
available
‘The Big Set at the Cock
Inn, Oughtibridge, c.1906’ From the
Goddard family
Download separate Order
Form - pdf |
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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 fifty carols presented in this new edition 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 by thorough
scholarship and a deep understanding of its social 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
‘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
‘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 |
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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
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Price: £20.00 + £6.00 UK post & packing |
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£20.00 + £10.00 EU post & packing |
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£20.00 + £16.00 airmail worldwide post & packing |
Paperback
ISBN 0-9524871-4-4
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Price: £12.00 + £5.00 UK post & packing |
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£12.00 + £8.00 EU post & packing |
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£12.00 + £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
Tel: +44 (0)1224 645486
www.villagecarols.org.uk
Cheque/PO/Money Order should be made payable to
‘Village Carols’.
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