O LUX BEATA RESOURCES
O Lux Beata is a book of four flexible pieces by Katy Lavinia Cooper (ed. Don Gillthorpe) published by Sing for Pleasure in August 2011. This page is designed to give you an idea of what the songs sound like, with a variety of different voices.
Recordings
O Lux Beata was officially launched at SfP's Summer School at Keele University in 2011. Here are recordings of all four pieces from the concert:
1. Circle march Conducted by Catherine Beddison
2. Rousay lullaby Conducted by Jane Hampson
3. O lux beata Conducted by Katy L Cooper
4. Orra bhonna bhonnagan Conducted by Don Gillthorpe
1. Circle march Conducted by Catherine Beddison
2. Rousay lullaby Conducted by Jane Hampson
3. O lux beata Conducted by Katy L Cooper
4. Orra bhonna bhonnagan Conducted by Don Gillthorpe
Demonstrations
1. Circle march
Audio
Circle March is available on Madrigirls' CD 'Return Again'.
1. As processional, with drum and men Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded in Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, Advent 2009. 2. Mixed voices, with synthesiser Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. 3. Ladies voices only Singers: Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. For this recording the ostinato part is taken by women's voices, singing an octave higher than written. Sung in written key (E minor). 4. Mixed voices, men on the tune with synthesiser Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. Ostinato part taken by the women, tune taken by men. In the second section, the second part is omitted. Sung in written key (E minor). |
Video
1. With symphonie (like hurdy-gurdy) and tabor. And men.
Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded in St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney, July 2010 |
2. Rousay lullaby
Audio
Rousay Lullaby is available on Madrigirls' CD 'The Leaves of Life'
1. As part of the 'agricultural set', girls only The Rousay lullaby is the last song in this medley - the second song is Orra bhonna, and you can hear how we segue between the two... Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded in Kelvinside Hillhead Church, Glasgow, June 2011. 2. Two parts (1 and 4), ladies Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. 3. Two parts (1 and 4), men Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. 4. Two parts (1 and 4), mixed voices on both parts Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. 5. Two parts (1 and 4), 1 - ladies, 4 - men Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. 6. Three parts. 1 - men, 3 - ladies, 4 - ladies Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. 7.Four parts. 1 - tenors/sops, 2 - sops, 3 - altos, 4 - basses Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. Basses and tenors in this recording are singing down an octave from written pitch. This recording also includes both the three part, and multipart round. |
Video
1. Informal performance, women's voices.
Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded on a ferry somewhere near Orkney, July 2010 2. Informal performance Women's voices (and one male) Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded on the VIC 32, (a Clyde Puffer) in Crinan, Argyle, July 2011. 3. As part of the 'agricultural set' The Rousay lullaby is the last song in this medley - the second song is Orra bhonna, and you can see how we segue between the two.... Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded in Kelvinside Hillhead Church, Glasgow, June 2011. 4. Performance at Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, women's voices The Rousay lullaby is the second song in this set - again the segue is well demonstrated! Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded at Wainsgate Chapel, Hebden Bridge, June 2011. |
3. O Lux Beata
Audio
O Lux Beata is available on Madrigirls CD 'Return Again'.
1. Female voices only, tabor and timbrel (medieval tambourine). Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded in Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, Advent 2010. 2. Mixed voices I (detals below) Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. Lower men sing part 1 down octave and higher men sing part 4 at written pitch. This is still relatively high for the men. 3. Mixed voices II (details below) Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. Lower men sing part 4 down octave, tenors sing part 1 down octave (with sops). Parts 3 and 2 taken by women. 4. Mixed voices III (details below) Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. Lower men sing part 1 down octave and higher men sing part 4 at written pitch. This is still relatively high for the men. At written pitch |
Video
1. Female voices, percussion
Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded at the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow at the Strawberry Jam event. Partical recording, rather poor quality. |
4. Orra bhonna bhonnagan
Audio
Orra bhonna is available on Madrigirls' CD 'The Leaves of Life'
1. As part of the 'agricultural set', girls only Orra bhonna bhonnagan is the second song in this medley - the last is the Rousay lullaby, and you can hear how we segue between the two... Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded in Kelvinside Hillhead Church, Glasgow, June 2011. 2. Mixed voices I Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. Men sing parts 3 and 4 at written pitch, and piece transposed down to F major. 3. Mixed voices II Singers: New Glasgow Chromatics (see below) Informal recording, Glasgow University Memorial Chapel, July 2011. Men sing parts 3 and 4, down an octave from written pitch, and piece transposed up to A major. |
Video
1. As part of the 'agricultural set' (women's voices)
Orra bhonna bhonnagan is the second song in the medley - the last is the Rousay lullaby, and you can see how we segue between the two... Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded in Kelvinside Hillhead Church, Glasgow, June 2011. 2. Performance at Hebden Bridge Arts Festival (women's voices) Orra Bhonna is the first song in this set - again the segue between Orra and the Rousay Lullaby is well demonstrated! Singers: Glasgow Madrigirls Recorded at Wainsgate Chapel, Hebden Bridge, June 2011. |
CREDITS
Huge thanks to the following singers for giving up their time to experiment! A particular thanks to Neil McDermott for supervising the recording.
'New Glasgow Chromatics'
Glasgow's only chamber choir specialising in recording for art installations and forthcoming sheet music publications. :-)
Sopranos: Moira Cairney, Fiona Campbell, Katy Cooper, Brianna Robertson, Jennie Scammell
Altos: Alison Eales, Rhian Nicholas, Jo Tucker
Tenors: Harry Campbell, Drummond McNichol, Richard Reid
Basses: Geoff Boath, Johnny McGhee Doyle, Joe Gatherer, Allan Wright
Instruments of various kinds: Allan Wright, Neil McDermott
Recording engineer: Neil McDermott
And many thanks to Glasgow Madrigirls for use of their recording archive, and hosting this webpage.
'New Glasgow Chromatics'
Glasgow's only chamber choir specialising in recording for art installations and forthcoming sheet music publications. :-)
Sopranos: Moira Cairney, Fiona Campbell, Katy Cooper, Brianna Robertson, Jennie Scammell
Altos: Alison Eales, Rhian Nicholas, Jo Tucker
Tenors: Harry Campbell, Drummond McNichol, Richard Reid
Basses: Geoff Boath, Johnny McGhee Doyle, Joe Gatherer, Allan Wright
Instruments of various kinds: Allan Wright, Neil McDermott
Recording engineer: Neil McDermott
And many thanks to Glasgow Madrigirls for use of their recording archive, and hosting this webpage.