Thomas Augustine Arne: The Masque Of Comus: Mixed Choir

When 18th century British composer Thomas Arne included his song Rule Britannia! in a masque based on the life of Alfred the Great that was presented at Cliveden the country home of Frederick Prince of Wales he could nothave imagined that more than two hundred seventy years later his ditty would be known throughout the British Isles and beyond. Rule Britannia! is widely used in the Royal Navy and British Army and is featured each year at theLast Night of the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall as a national sing-along.At the time of writing the Dutch actually ‘ruled the waves ’ so this song was more an exhortation than a status report. The lyrics were also astatement of civil liberty. Since Cromwell’s time Britain had had a standing army which could be turned against the native population. A standing navy however existed solely to protect the nation from invaders protectinga free populace.Rule Britannia! has been quoted extensively by other composers among them Beethoven Wagner Strauss and Arthur Sullivan. Thomas Arne also penned a version of God Save The King which came to be the Britishnational anthem.This version is arranged by contemporary composer and friend Eaton Fanning who made changes to the famous semiquaver flourishes.

The latest addition to the Novello Handel Edition. A stage work of 1745 based on John Milton's classical masque Comus created from a compilation of songs by Handel and Thomas Arne both pre-existing and original with the text adapted by John Dalton. This is the first ever complete publication of the work and is edited by Handel scholar Colin Timms. This work is for three or four Sopranos Mezzo-Soprano Tenor one or two Bass Soli and Orchestra. This edition is an 'important new contribution to scholarship with Colin Timms continuing the work of Anthony Hicks in putting together an edition of work from various sources'. There are 'somefine movements to be found by both composers not least the three airs and trio that Handel provided specially for performance in Exton Hall Rutland in 1745'. Choir & Organ  November/December 2017 'Potential performers will appreciatre the excellent editorial preface. The print of this vocal score with piano reduction though small is very clear and well laid-out and orchestral parts including a fully realised continuo part are available from Novello.' Organists’ Review December 2017

The latest addition to the Novello Handel Edition. A stage work of 1745 based on John Milton's classical masque Comus created from a compilation of songs by Handel and Thomas Arne, both pre-existing and original, with the text adapted by John Dalton. This is the first ever complete publication of the work and is edited by Handel scholar Colin Timms.This work is for three or four Sopranos, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, one or two Bass Soli and Orchestra. / Choeur SATB, Soli Et Accompagnement