Percy Snowdon (21 Feb 1930 - 26 May 1983)
Percy was a Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at Sheffield City Polytechnic (now Sheffield Hallam University), with a keen interest in his subject paralleled by a strong musical talent and a deep love of his native Northumberland. In 1966 he founded the Sheffield Motet Singers, conducting them until his death of a heart attack in 1983. This choir continued under other leadership until 2001, with many of the original singers still in it..
He first penned music in 1975, with his unaccompanied setting of Mendlessohn's "Denn er hat seinen Engeln" from Elijah, which always remained a favourite with the Motet Singers. Four of his five folk song arrangements were complete and first performed in November 1982, after their conception inspired by a Northumbrian holiday. Encouraged by the enthusiastic response of singers and audience, he went on to complete the set (with what is now no.3), and to compose the Ave Maria and the very different Betelgeuse, before his sudden and unexpected death.
John Kilpatrick, from notes by Margaret Snowdon.
Percy Snowdon's Music (free choral music in the public domain)
Denn er hat seinen Engeln
(Mendelssohn) SSAATTBB Percy Snowdon's 1975 arrangement for unaccompanied singers of the motet from Elijah. Words in German. PDF (85KB) Midi latest print with typographical corrections: 21/10/08 True to Mendelssohn's original, except for small alterations and supplementations to make up for the missing accompaniment. |
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Northumbrian Folk Songs Excellent unaccompanied settings. Inspired by a holiday, though Percy was himself of Northumbrian origin. Complete Set with cover sheets - 24 pages PDF (258KB) for individual folk-songs print the page range shown from the above PDF no 1 - Wrap up, roll up pp 2-3 Midi MP3 A short Strathspey, 4-part SATB no 2 - Dance to your daddy pp 4-9 Midi MP3 SSAATB (could be SSATB or even SATB - very few divisions) no 3 - Sair fyeld, hinny pp 10-12 Midi 4-part SATB (about 2 tenor notes divide) "Sore failed, honey" no 4 - Bonny at morn pp 13-16 Midi MP3 SATB (some div. T & B) + Sop. solo no 5 - Adam Buckham O pp 17-23 Midi MP3 SATB (div.) A first rate arrangement, and amusing words! The above MP3s were recorded before Percy's death by the Sheffield Motet Singers. The pronunciation is not authentic. |
How to pronounce the words The Words spoken or sung through in a Northumbrian accent by Alex Swailes MBE. In MP3 format. Wrap up, roll up Click HERE for a link to some real folk-style renderings of Northumbrian songs by Keith & Alex Swailes. |
Betelgeuse
SATB div. unaccompanied. PDF Midi A beautiful and haunting piece, set to words by H Wolfe. |
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Ave Maria SATB div.
unaccompanied. PDF Midi A slightly astringent rendering, with some bright passages; worth a look. |
Link to John Kilpatrick's Choral Page Link to John Earwaker's Choral Page Link to John Kilpatrick's Home Page