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Choral Music
'Toulon' for Mezzo-Soprano with Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Piano
Year: 1942
Duration: 4 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Commission:
Commissioned by the Birmingham Anglo-Soviet Unity Group.
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 422, ff. 52-55: Score in pencil: Deposit 2005/32.
First Performance:
W.M.A.Concert, Birmingham, 26 May 1943.
Publication:
Freedom on the March for Solo, Mixed Chorus and Symphony Orchestra
Year: 1943
Text: Randall Swingler
First Performance:
Combined choirs and London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Alan Bush (The British-Soviet Unity Demonstration), Royal Albert Hall, London, 27 June 1943.
Notes:
Written to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Nazi invasion of the USSR.
'The Winter Journey' - Cantata for Soprano and Baritone Soli, Mixed Chorus (SATB) with accompaniment for String Quintet and Harp or Piano
Year: 1946
Opus: 29
Duration: 21.5 minutes
Text: Randall Swingler
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 416, ff. 51-76: Vocal and piano score. Sketches in Deposit 2005/32.
First Performance:
Soloists, Alnwick Choral Society, Conductor: Frederick Hudson, Parish Church, Alnwick, Northumberland, December 1946.
Notes:
1. Introduction
2. The City
3. The Journey
4. The Sleepers in the City
5. Mary’s Song
6. Final Chorale
Publication:
Stainer & Bell, 1947. Vocal score.
'Lidice' for Unaccompanied Mixed Chorus (SATB)
Year: 1947
Duration: 4 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
First Performance:
Workers' Music Association Singers conducted by Alan Bush. Prague Radio Broadcast, Lidice, August 1947.
Publication:
Workers' Music Association, 1947. Vocal score.
Recording:
'Our Song' for Mezzo-Soprano or Baritone Solo, Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Piano Accompaniment
Year: 1948
Duration: 3 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Commission:
Commissioned for the opening of the Nottingham Co-operative Arts Centre.
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 416, ff. 77-86: Sketches in Deposit 2005/32.
First Performance:
Nottingham Co-operative Arts Centre Choir and Alan Bush (piano), conducted by David Ellenberg. Arts Theatre, Nottingham, 7 November 1948.
Publication:
Workers' Music Association, 1948. Vocal score.
Workers' Music Association, 1970. Included in 'Songs of Struggle'.
'Song of Friendship' - Cantata for Bass Solo, Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Orchestra
Year: 1949
Opus: 34
Duration: 11 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Commission:
Written for the British Soviet Friendship Society.
Instrumentation:
2,0.3+2 sax.1/0.3.4.1/timpani/percussion
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 416, ff. 87-106: Full score. Sketches in Deposit 2005/32.
First Performance:
Soloist, Workers' Music Association Choir and Orchestra conducted by Alan Bush. Empress Hall, London, 6 November 1949.
Publication:
Workers' Music Association, 1949. Vocal score.
'The Dream of Llewelyn Ap Gruffydd' for Male Voice Chorus (TTBB) and Piano
Year: 1950
Opus: 35
Duration: 8 minutes
Text: Randall Swingler, Wil Ifan
Dedication: "To the Treorchy and District Male Voice Choir."
First Performance:
Treorchy and District Male Voice Choir, Conductor: John Davies, Park and Dare Workman's Hall, Treorchy, South Wales, 11 April 1952.
Publication:
Joseph Williams (now Stainer & Bell), London, 1951. Vocal score.
Joseph Williams (now Stainer & Bell), London, 1952. Tonic sol fa edition.
'The People's Paper' for Soloist, Mixed Voice Chorus (SATB) and Orchestra
Year: 1950
Text: Randall Swingler
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 424, ff. 51-52.
First Performance:
Harringay Arena, London, 12 February 1950.
Notes:
Written to celebrate the 21st anniversary of The Daily Worker ('The People's Paper').
'The Ballad of Freedom's Soldier' - Cantata for Tenor and Bass-baritone Soli, Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Orchestra
Year: 1953
Opus: 44
Duration: 21 minutes
Text: John Manifold
Dedication: "To the memory of Major Frank Thompson, British Military Mission, National Hero of the People's Republic of Bulgaria."
Instrumentation:
2.1+2.2/4.3.2+1.0/timpani/percussion/harp/strings
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 417, ff. 1-25: Vocal score in ink. Sketch in Deposit 2005/32.
First Performance:
Soloists and the Philharmonic de l'Etat, conducted by Ilya Temkov, Russe, Bulgaria, 5 April 1962.
Notes:
Written in memory of Major Frank Thompson, who died in action in Bulgaria in 1944.
'Like Rivers Flowing' - Part song for Unaccompanied Mixed Voices (SSATB)
Year: 1957
Duration: 3 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Dedication: "To the people of Llangollen and all who sing there."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 422, ff. 61-68. Sketches in Deposit 2005/32.
Publication:
Joseph Williams (now Stainer & Bell), London, 1957. Vocal score.
Recording:
'Nicht den Tod aus der Ferne' for Baritone Solo, Mixed Unison Chorus and Instrumental Ensemble
Year: 1958
Duration: 2.5 minutes
Text: Armin Mueller
Instrumentation:
Clarinet, trumpet, percussion and piano
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 417, ff. 26-27: Vocal score in blue ink.
First Performance:
Weimar, 1958.
'Ballade vom Marsch auf Aldermaston' for Speaker, Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Instrumental Ensemble
Year: 1958
Duration: 4 minutes
Text: Armin Mueller
Instrumentation:
2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 guitars, percussion and double bass
Manuscript:
British Museum, London. MS Mus. 417, ff. 29-37: Full score in blue ink.
First Performance:
Weimar, 1958.
Notes:
Alternate version with English text by Nancy Bush - British Library, London.MS. Mus. 417, 38–48: Score in ink.
'The World is his Song' for Baritone (or Mezzo-Soprano) Solo, Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Instrumental Ensemble
Year: 1958
Opus: 51
Duration: 6 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Dedication: "To Paul Robeson."
Instrumentation:
2 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, guitar, percussion and piano
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 418, ff.1-54: Full and vocal scores in ink.
First Performance:
Martin Lawrence (bass-baritone), Workers' Music Association Massed Choirs and Ensemble, Conductor: Alan Bush, Royal Albert Hall, London, 15 February 1959. The Daily Worker Birthday Rally.
'The Tide That Will Never Turn' - Declaration by Hugh McDiarmid for Two Speakers, Bass (or Baritone) Solo, Mixed Chorus (SATB), Strings, Percussion and Piano
Year: 1961
Duration: 15 minutes
Text: Hugh McDiarmid
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 418, ff. 55-105: Full score and parts in ink.
First Performance:
Marjorie Mason and Glyn Davys (speakers), Martin Lawrence (bass), the Glasgow YCL Choir and Workers' Music Association Massed Choirs, Orchestra, with Glyn Davys (piano), conducted by Alan Bush, St. Pancras Town Hall, London, 1 April 1961.
Notes:
Written for the 27th National Congress of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
'Song of the Cosmonaut' for Baritone Solo and Mixed Chorus with Piano Accompaniment
Year: 1961
Duration: 3 minutes
Text: Miles Tomalin
Dedication: "To Major Yuri Gagarin."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 423, ff. 1-14: Score in ink.
Publication:
Workers' Music Association, 1963. Vocal score.
'During Music' - Part Song for Unaccompanied Mixed Chorus (SATB)
Year: 1963
Opus: 62
Duration: 2.5 minutes
Text: Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 423, 15-22: Drafts core in pencil.
First Performance:
Choir from the Alexandra Choral Society with local choirs and Geoff Vince (piano), conducted by Alan Bush. Inaugural concert of the Festival organised by the Borough Arts Council, Wood Green, London, 4 April 1964.
Notes:
Specially written for the Wood Green Arts Festival.Score printed as a supplement to The Musical Times, No. 1454 (April 1964).
Publication:
Novello, London, 1964. Vocal score.
'The Alps and Andes of the Living World' - Cantata for Speaker, Tenor Solo, Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Orchestra
Year: 1968
Opus: 66
Duration: 11 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush, William Shakespeare, T.E.Huxley
Commission:
Commissioned by the Dartington Summer School, 1968.
Instrumentation:
0.0.0.0/4.3.3.1/percussion/piano/strings (2/1/2/0)
Manuscript:
British Library, London.MS Mus. 419, ff. 21: Full score in ink.
First Performance:
John Amis (speaker), Joseph Ward (tenor), Alan Bush (piano), Summer School Choir and Ensemble including the Devon Brass Consort, Conductor: Philip Simms. Dartington Summer School, 9 August 1968.
Notes:
Texts:
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Man's Place in Nature by T.E.Huxley
April the Twelfth 1961 by Nancy Bush
'Men of Felling' for Male Voice Choir (TTBB) with Piano Accompaniment
Year: 1971
Opus: 72
Duration: 2.5 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Dedication: "To the Felling Male Voice Choir."
Commission:
Commissioned by Northern Arts to mark the choir's 50th Anniversary and the Golden Jubilee Choral Championship Concert.
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 423, ff. 43-67: Draft score in pencil; score in ink.
First Performance:
The Felling Male Voice Choir with Kenneth Murray (piano), conducted by Norman Williams. City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, 15 October 1971.
'Earth has Grain to Grow' - Part Song for Unaccompanied Mixed Chorus (SATB)
Year: 1972
Duration: 2.5 minutes
Text: C. Day Lewis
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 424, ff. 13-19.
Notes:
Score printed as a supplement to The Musical Times, No. 1553 (July 1972).
Publication:
Novello, London, 1972. Vocal score.
'The Earth Awakening' - Carol for Female Chorus (SSA) with Organ Accompaniment
Year: 1972
Opus: 74
Duration: 3 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Commission:
Written for the Perse Girls' School (Cambridge) 1972 Carol Service.
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 424, ff. 20-35: Draft score in pencil; score in ink.
First Performance:
The Perse Girls' School Choir, Parish Church of Great St. Mary's, Cambridge, 18 December 1972.
Notes:
Given the same opus number (74) as Concert Overture for an Occasion.
'Song for Angela Davis' - Part Song for Unaccompanied Mixed Chorus (SATB) or Unison Song with Piano Accompaniment
Year: 1972
Opus: 75
Duration: 5 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 424, ff. 1-12.
First Performance:
Sheila Searchfield (mezzo-soprano), Workers' Music Association Summer School Chorus with Brian Truman (piano), Conductor: Alan Bush, Workers' Music Association Summer School, Wortley Hall, Sheffield, 25 August 1972.
Publication:
Workers' Music Association, 1972. Vocal score.
'Africa is My Name' for Mezzo-Soprano Solo, Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Piano (or Orchestra)
Year: 1976
Opus: 85
Duration: 10 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 420, ff. 1-19: Vocal score, chorus parts and solo part in ink.
First Performance:
Annette Gavin (mezzo-soprano), Workers' Music Association Summer School Chorus with Alan Bush (piano), Workers' Music Association Summer School, Wortley Hall, Sheffield, 20 August 1976.
'The Earth in Shadow' for Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Orchestra
Year: 1984-86
Opus: 102
Duration: 14 minutes
Text: Nancy Bush
Dedication: "To Nancy Bush"
Instrumentation:
2+1.2+1.2/4.3.2.0/timpani/percussion (2)/piano/strings
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 421, ff. 1-101: Full score and vocal score in ink.
First Performance:
Goldsmiths' College Student Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Roger Wibberley. Great Hall, Goldsmith's College, London, 27 September 1986.
Publication:
Goodmusic Publishing, 2005. Vocall score. Roberton Publications No.3106.
'Mandela Speaking' for Baritone Solo and Mixed Chorus (SATB) with Orchestra or Piano
Year: 1985
Opus: 110
Text: Nelson Mandela
Instrumentation:
2.2.2.2/4.0.0.0/percussion/piano/strings
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 420, ff. 77-114: Sketches, vocal and full scores in ink. Texts in English, Xhosa and Zulu.
First Performance:
Concert organised by the African National Congress, Conductor: Alan Bush, Conway Hall, London, 1985.
'Turkish Workers' Marching Song' for Unison Chorus, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Tenor Trombone, Piano, Timpani (optional) and Percussion
Year: 1985
Opus: 101
Text: Anonymous
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 420, ff. 72-75: Full score in ink. Text in Turkish.
The Youth Railway, Cantata for Soprano and Baritone Solo and Mixed Chorus, with Accompaniment for String Quintet and Harp or Pianoforte
Year: Unknown
Text: Randall Swingler
Notes:
Music by Anon. Piano accompaniment by Alan Bush.

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'The Winter Journey' - A Christmas Cantata for Soprano and Baritone Solo, Mixed Chorus, String Quintet and Harp
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