"Songs of Solomons"

10 Songs for alto and classical guitar

Rose

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Story behind the piece:

The Kurdish prisoner of conscience Iskan Acikca wrote this poem in Turkish especially for his English correspondent, a 90 year old lady called Theo, who specialised in writing to those in need. She translated the poem and, with a few alterations, I set it to music. I still do not know whether Iskan has heard the setting.

I believe he is now in Germany, following his release from the Turkish prison ...

There is a rose in my garden....

 

Ludhe sing tishu

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Story behind the piece:

Parody of the old English canon "Sumer is i-cumen in, ludhe sing cuccu".In this version the sufferers of hayfever are the stars of the show and their sneezes give the sound engineer his greatest challenges!

 

Lookin' just lookin' in the personal ads

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Story behind the piece:

Lookin' just lookin' is a humorous look at the personal "lonely hearts" ads, although the composer invented the actual adverts in this song, to avoid possible late-night phone calls!The personalities advertising for the loves of their lives in this song range in age from 24 to 92, they are all very genuine people, please don't hurt their feelings as you snigger!

 

Judas

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Story behind the piece:

Poem by Audrey Vaughan - Judas may have thought these thoughts after all was done....

 

Greek Wassail

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Story behind the piece:

A silly little poem about unthinking much-drinking tourists visiting Greece and leaving their bottles on the beach...

..using the 7/4 rhythms of Greek dances

 

An Exmas Carol

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Story behind the piece:

The guitar part plays 'Oh little Town of Bethlehem' while the voice sings a lament about how we have forgotten the message of peace that Christmas is supposed to bring - written in 1984 after singing 'Oh little Town' once too often!

 

New Troubadour Blues

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Story behind the piece:

A song about writer's block. There I was waiting for my next gig at the "New Troubadours" in Manchester and trying to work on a new song to perform.This was the result. It's not a Blues, though it uses some of the Blues ideas.It's just a spoof. I hope you will enjoy it in the humour in which it is intended!

 

Habirandosan No Haiku

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Story behind the piece:

Haikus by Mark Haviland using various Japanese scales (in Westernised form!).

 

Christmas Song

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Story behind the piece:

Poem by Audrey Vaughan - the message of Christmas found in the simplicity of the child.

 

Beetles' Wings

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Story behind the piece:

Poem by Audrey Vaughan - finding God through nature.

 

(CD of Songs of Solomons version for for alto and piano)