Choral Works by John Whittaker
a) ‘Three Shakespeare Songs’ (SATB)
For 4-part Choir (SATB) and piano. Blow Thou Winter Wind / Orpheus With His Lute / O Mistress Mine
(‘O Mistress Mine’ was given its public premiere in May 2017 by the Arterian Singers, Cottingham, East Yorkshire)
b) ‘It Was A Lover and His Lass’
For 4-part Unaccompanied Choir (SATB) Written in a ‘madrigal’ style. Words by W. Shakespeare.
(The Bach Chorale of Grand Rapids gave this piece its premiere in Nov. 2016, at Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. )
The Bach Chorale of Grand Rapids
c) ‘Who is Silvia?’
For Unaccompanied Choir (SATB). Words by W. Shakespeare.
(First performance by the Gratis Choir, choral director Jeremy Rawson, May 2019)
d) ‘O Mistress Mine’
Version For Unaccompanied Choir (SATB). Words by W. Shakespeare.
(First performance at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, USA by the Queen’s Singers – choral director Stephanie Phelan)
e) ‘I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud’
A setting of the famous poem by Wordsworth.
Extract of the premiere performance, sung by the Wordsworth Singers, director Mark Hindley:
Christmas/Winter
a) The Star Carol
for SATB and organ (or piano) Words by Alf Williams.
b) ‘The Carol of Mary’
for 5 parts SSATB unaccompanied. Words by Oxford-based writer, Nia Williams.
c) The Carol of The Nativity’
for SATB and piano (or organ)
d) ‘A Recipe for a Christmas Pudding’
for SATB and piano. An old recipe put to music! (Version also with orchestra)
In 2021, the Joie de Vivre choir in the USA produced a little film to go with it! It begins at 6 mins 35 secs into the video. Click on: Recipe for a Christmas Pudding
e) ‘Winter’
– a setting of an evocative, beautifully descriptive poem by Walter de La Mer for SATB, solo alto/mezzo, cello and piano. Written after hearing a choral piece with cello accompaniment sung by The Choir of The Earth at a concert in Rugby.
f) ‘The Journey’ for unaccompanied SATB. Words by Alf Williams. In this piece there is a depiction of snow falling gently by a passage involving 6 solo soprano voices.
g) ‘The Miners’ Carol’
for SATB and organ (or piano). An arrangement of a traditional carol. First performed by The Pangbourne Choral Society, director Ellie Calver, December 2018. Listen to their live recording below:
‘The Miners’ Carol’
h) Cantata – ‘A Christmas Garland’.
A short cantata for SATB and orchestra of seasonal verse – including settings of Shakespeare and Wordsworth. Duration approx. 15 mins. Based on a previous work for baritone and orchestra – it includes ‘Recipe for a Christmas Pudding’ and ‘Winter’. (see above.) This work was given its premiere by Vox Philia, Reading, Pennsylvania, USA (Director of Music, David McConnell) in December 2024.
Below are ‘live’ recordings from their performance:
Movement 1: ‘Welcome Christmas!’
Movement 2: ‘The Minstrels’ (Wordsworth)
Movement 3: ‘Winter’ (Shakespeare)
Movement 5: ‘Winter ‘ (De La Mer)
Movement 6: ‘At Christmas’ (George Withers)
Choral Works for Upper Voices
a) ‘The Christmas Journey’
A choral work for Christmas, written for unaccompanied 6-parts (SSSAAA). Words by Alf Williams.
First performed in Bern Dec 2016 by Les Voc-a-les vocal ensemble.
Duration approx. 4 mins.
b) ‘Three Shakespeare Songs’
For 4-parts (SSAA) and piano. ‘Blow Thou Winter Wind’ / ‘Orpheus With His Lute’ / ‘O Mistress Mine’.
Duration 8 mins.
c) ‘The Lark’
For 3 Parts (SSA) and piano. Words based on the two poems of the same name by William Wordsworth. (Duration 3 mins)
All Choral and Solo Voice Music by the composer is available free of charge on request.