Recommended Sheet Music,
The Maker's Press
The Maker’s Press is a small, independent publisher specialising in 20th and 21st century British music, producing high quality print editions. Here at Presto Music we are pleased to announce that we are now suppliers of their publications. Most notably The Maker's Press are working in collaboration with the Ivor Gurney Trustees to bring to publication a number of previously unpublished works by the English composer and poet Ivor Gurney. This includes choral, chamber, instrumental, and orchestral works by the composer, in addition to a new Gurney Song Edition. Volume one was published in February this year, and includes the previously unpublished On Wenlock Edge. Volume two is to follow later this year and will contain all previously unpublished songs of 1918. Another recent publication is Two Pieces for James, a piece for piano solo by the renowned choral composer and director, Paul Spicer. There are also a number of publications by founder of The Maker's Press, Philip Lancaster, including his latest publication for piano solo, Encroaching Shadows. Their future publications are set to include works by W. Denis Browne (including the first publication of his complete songs), as well as previously unpublished works by Hubert Parry.
Sheet Music from The Maker's Press
Ivor Gurney
Gurney’s complete songs of 1916-17, composed whilst serving as a soldier in the First World War. Includes the first publication of the A.E. Housman setting, On Wenlock Edge, the original trench version of By a Bierside, and the revised version of Even such is Time. Additionally, Gurney’s original intentions for In Flanders have been fully restored for the first time. All songs have been newly edited from Gurney’s manuscripts by Philip Lancaster and Ian Venables, with detailed textual and historical notes. Published in association with the Ivor Gurney Trust.
Available Format: Sheet Music
The original ensemble version of Gurney’s Elizabethan Songs, including the popular Sleep, scored for [high] mezzo-soprano with the unusual ensemble of two flutes, two clarinets in A, harp, and two bassoons. Gurney’s original scoring of Spring is published alongside realisations of the remaining four songs by Philip Lancaster, based on annotations in, and textures inferred from, Gurney’s manuscripts. Includes introduction, texts, and facsimile images from the manuscripts. Published in association with the Ivor Gurney Trust.
Available Format: Sheet Music
A rousing choral setting of a poem by Edward Thomas, composed in around 1921, and orchestrated in 2008 by Gurney scholar Philip Lancaster. Gurney made twenty settings of Edward Thomas, amongst which this is the only choral setting. This work, for 4-part choir with accompaniment, is distinct from his later song setting of this same poem. This full score includes an urtext transcription of the manuscript accompaniment.
The vocal score is available separately here.
Available Format: Sheet Music
Paul Spicer
Takng their inspiration from the Elizabethan virginal books and from Herbert Howells’s clavichord books, yet always in Spicer’s distinctive musical voice, these short pieces for solo piano were commissioned in 2010 as a birthday gift to the Rev. James Potts. James’s Jaunt is joyous, vibrant and celebratory, while Potts’s Pavane is a moving and heartfelt tribute to a much loved man.
Available Format: Sheet Music
Philip Lancaster
A cycle of seventeen haiku for solo piano, after Tomas Tranströmer. The seventeen haiku can be performed either complete, as a single cycle, in three sections, or singly, selected freely from across the cycle.
Available Format: Sheet Music
A setting of a 15th century carol. Suitable for Holy Week/Easter. For unaccompanied SSAATB Choir.
Available Format: Sheet Music
A set of Lamentations to words selected from the visionary works of William Blake. For use in Lent/Holy Week, great as an alternative to the more established lamentations.
Available Format: Sheet Music
A cycle of five songs for tenor and violin written in collaboration with poet John Greening. Dedicated to the memory of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Available Format: Sheet Music
Extended canticle for soprano and piano written in collaboration with poet and librettist Euan Tait.
Available Format: Sheet Music
Motet for unaccompanied 8-part choir. A reflection on mortality for the season of Lent. Words selected from Psalm 103, Edward Thomas The Mountain Chapel, and William Blake’s Vala.
Available Format: Sheet Music
Ellena Taylor - Sheet Music and Books Manager
