A setting of Robert Browning’s children’s poem, "The Pied Piper". The story of the rats of Hamelin and how they are removed by a piper who then also takes all the children of the town in revenge for not beeing paid for the rats is a very well-known tale and Browning’s poem deals with all the elements of the story in a thorough way. This setting of the poem draws on themes that represent certain characters and uses them to tell the story in what I hope is a thrilling and enjoyable way. Premiered by Kettering Choral Society in June 2016, conducted by the composer.
Available score is of an old edition. Currently undergoing revisions for a new edition. New version will also be orchestrated.
Available score is of an old edition. Currently undergoing revisions for a new edition. New version will also be orchestrated.
"Sailing Away" sets three nonsense poems by Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll and Eugene Field. Scored for upper voices, either adults or children, it presents a challenge, and is written in a contemporary idiom, but hopefully, in a fun way, both to listen to and perform.
Planned initially on a whim, it quickly became a piece that almost wrote itself. The Jumblies has a fairly strong verse and chorus structure, with a contrasting central episode. Jabberwocky’s relentless accompaniment which uses a cycle of triads in every possible key is intended to convey the hunting of the Jabberwock, while Wynken, Blynken and Nod’s mixture of rhythms (the singers and the piano are in different time signatures) is intended to portray the dreamlike aspect of the text.
Planned initially on a whim, it quickly became a piece that almost wrote itself. The Jumblies has a fairly strong verse and chorus structure, with a contrasting central episode. Jabberwocky’s relentless accompaniment which uses a cycle of triads in every possible key is intended to convey the hunting of the Jabberwock, while Wynken, Blynken and Nod’s mixture of rhythms (the singers and the piano are in different time signatures) is intended to portray the dreamlike aspect of the text.
A suite of traditional sea shanties arranged for SATB choir and piano. The Suite comprises Clear away the Track (and let the Bulgine run), The Rio Grande, Shenandoah, The Fish of the Sea and closes with The Drunken Sailor. Written in 2014 and first performed in June 2015 by Kettering Choral Society
© Jonathan Ellson 2023
Sailing Away Op. 3 (2006) c.11' (SA)
Text by Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Eugene Field
Text by Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Eugene Field
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Anchors Aweigh! Op. 5 (2014) c.16' (SATB)
Traditional Texts
Traditional Texts
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The Pied Piper Op. 6 (2016) c.30' (SATB)
Robert Browning
Robert Browning
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Jonathan Ellson
Teacher - Musical Director - Composer