A Week of Pieces
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Product ID: GM2 CO034
By Bernard Barrell
published: 1971
Publisher:
Goodmusic
Series:
Concert Originals
Line Up:
String Orchestra (Solo: Trumpet)
Duration:
13:00
Set & Score
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Composer
Bernard Barrell (1919-2005)
Born on 15 August 1919 in Sudbury, Suffolk, Bernard Barrell lived, apart from his years of war service, almost entirely in the county of his birth. When he was four years old his family moved to Ipswich, his home for the next seventy years. On leaving school he was employed as a clerk at Churchmans, the cigarette manufacturers, but music was his real interest, and it was during this time he began to compose. His own list of works contains four pieces from the immediate pre-war years: "Hommage à Ravel" Suite for Small Orchestra, Op.1 and "Diversion on an original theme for Strings", Op.2 date from 1938. The "Soliloquy" for ’cello (or violin/viola/clarinet) and piano, Op.3 and the "Sarabande for Small Orchestra", Op.4 date from the following year. The "Sarabande" in the composer’s own arrangement for piano (Op.4A) was his first published composition (by Fraser Enock). The alternative scorings of Op.3 were typical of his intention to provide music for wide use and remained a feature of his compositions.
As a composer he continued to work quite slowly. The 1950s saw the completion of a further twelve compositions that included a Fugue for Strings, Op.11 (for Dr. Martin Shaw’s 79th birthday) and the "East Anglian Holiday Overture", Op.14. The 1960s, however, proved more fruitful with the completion of Op.20 to Op.59. A number of these works reflected his work in education, and in addition to pieces including recorders there is a handful that make use of the diatonic harmonica (though with alternative instrumentation also provided). Works for small orchestra suitable for young players and indeed for older keen amateur musicians occur throughout his compositions, but their purpose was not primarily didactic, but simply for players to enjoy.
Compositions in the 1970s and 1980s were plentiful and covered from Op.60 (Missa Brevis No.3) to Op.121
A composer’s note for 1985 in his list of works recorded that owing to Joyce Barrell’s illness he only undertook copying and revisions ("re-texting" of Masses Op.35 and Op.74) and below the entry for Op.121 (Longfellow’s Carol) he noted "Joyce Barrell died 6th December 1989.
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