Grace Williams(1906-77): A Catalogue of the Orchestral and Choral Music

[Dundonnell]

This list does not purport to be anything like a complete catalogue; I have not been able to reference any additional information. Grace Williams certainly wrote a large number of songs with orchestral accompaniment.


GRACE WILLIAMS: A CATALOGUE OF THE ORCHESTRAL AND CHORAL MUSIC

1925:          "To Night" for soli, chorus and string orchestra
1927/1935: Two Psalms for soprano and chamber orchestra
1930:           Suite "Hen Walia" for orchestra
                   "Tuscany" for mezzo-soprano and orchestra
                   "Tarantella" for mezzo-soprano and orchestra
1932:          Suite for orchestra
                    Movement for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra
c.1932:       Concert Overture
1936/1940:Elegy for string orchestra
1930s:      "The Song of Mary" for soprano and chamber orchestra
1939:         Four Illustrations for the Legend of Rhiannon for orchestra
                   Hymn of Praise for chorus and orchestra
1940:         Fantasia on Welsh Nursery Tunes for orchestra: 11 minutes  + (Lyrita cd)
1941:         Sinfonia Concertante for Piano and Orchestra: 25 minutes  *
1943:         Symphony No.1 "Symphonic Impressions": 39 minutes (withdrawn)  *
1944:         Sea Sketches for string orchestra: 19 minutes   + (Lyrita cd)
1949:         Suite "The Dark Island" for string orchestra
                  "The Merry Minstrel" for narrator and orchestra
1950:         Violin Concerto: 24 minutes   *
                   Variations on a Swedish Tune-"The Shoemaker" for Piano and Orchestra
1951:        Choral Suite "The Dancers" for chorus, string orchestra and harp: 10 minutes  + (Chandos cd)
1953:         Hornpipe "Keel and Anchor" for orchestra
1954:        "Seven Scenes for Young Listeners" for orchestra
1955:        "Penillion" for orchestra: 15 minutes   + (Lyrita cd)
1956/1975: Symphony No.2: 38 minutes   *  + (Lyrita cd)
1959:         "All seasons shall be sweet" for soprano, womens' chorus and small orchestra
1962/1968: Processional for orchestra
1963:         Trumpet Concerto: 13 minutes  + (Lyrita cd)
1964:          Benediticite for soprano, chorus and orchestra
1965/1973: "Carillons" for Oboe and Orchestra: 10 minutes  + (Lyrita cd)
1969:       "Castell Caernarfon" for orchestra
1968:       Ballads for Orchestra: 17 minutes   + (Lyrita cd)
1970:       Elegy for strings: 5 minutes
1971:       Missa Cambrensis for chorus and orchestra: 60 minutes
1973:      "Fairest of Stars" for soprano and orchestra: 14 minutes  + (Lyrita cd)

and
      "Mary Mary Maiden" for chorus and string orchestra: 6 minutes
      "The Pearly Adriatic" for chorus, string orchestra, piano and organ: 6 minutes
      "The Shepherdess" for chorus and string orchestra: 6 minutes


In recent years Graeme Cottrill of the University at Bangor has worked tirelessly to revive interest in the music of Grace Williams, to edit her scores and have them published or re-published and to try to persuade the BBC in Wales to revive works like the huge Missa Cambrensis.

Information about the Missa Cambrensis:

http://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/full-ori.php.en?Id=1206[/i]]http://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/full-ori.php.en?Id=1206

There is a short extract from the 1971 premiere and only performance of this work:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/southeastwales/hi/people_and_places/music/newsid_8543000/8543192.stm
      

[Jimfin]

A wonderful composer in my opinion, with a real Welsh flavour to her music. Thanks once again, Dundonnell

[albion]

Also the following works in manuscript:

To Night for soli, chorus and string orchestra (1925)
Two Psalms [137 and 126] for soprano and chamber orchestra (1927, rev.1935)
Tuscany for mezzo-soprano and orchestra (1930)
Tarantella for mezzo-soprano and orchestra (1930)
Suite for orchestra (1932)
Concert Overture (c.1932)
Movement for trumpet and chamber orchestra (1932)
Suite The Dark Island for string orchestra (1949)
Variations on a Swedish Tune: The Shoemaker for piano and orchestra (1950)
Hornpipe: Keel and Anchor for orchestra (1953)
Seven Scenes for Young Listeners for orchestra (1954)
Processional for orchestra (1962, rev.1968)
Benedicite for soprano, chorus and orchestra (1964)

[Dundonnell]

Thanks for these additions, John

I have incorporated them, plus another couple of works I discovered, into the list