Fand Catalogue

  

Songs Without the Words

Volume 2

for solo piano

Peter Warlock

arr. John Mitchell

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	I will enjoy returning to these volumes and will keep them in my music case.
	—Jonathan Carne, Peter Warlock Society News (#206 Spring 2020 42–3)

	Even without the words Warlock’s songs convey a musical logic which can speak for itself.
	—Jonathan Carne, Peter Warlock Society News (#206 Spring 2020 42–3)

Peter Warlock (1894–1930) is rightly famed for his 120 or so solo songs. They vary enormously in range, from the uproariously extrovert drinking songs, via those on pleasingly charming pastoral themes, and through tender love songs to the hauntingly sad and desolating songs of The Curlew. Another feature they share is that they are more often than not quite melodically distinguished and attractive.

The cue for arranging the nine songs of this volume as piano pieces came in the form of a piano transcription that Alec Rowley had made many years ago of Warlock’s song Milkmaids. Including the latter in a recent concert, it struck John Mitchell that a similar treatment might be extended to some of the other songs in Warlock’s output. The arrangements here may appeal especially to those pianists who greatly enjoy accompanying these songs, but may not always have a singer on hand to contribute the vocal line (the latter now being incorporated into the piano texture).

ALSO AVAILABLE: Volume 1.

Sample pages

(Click to enlarge)

		Composer	Title	Grade	Forces	Total duration
		Peter Warlock arr. John Mitchell	Songs Without the Words Volume 2 for solo piano	5 to 8	Piano	13 mins
	#	Composer	Movement		Forces	Duration
	1	Peter Warlock arr. John Mitchell	The Birds		Piano	1¼ mins
	2		Thou Gav’st Me Leave to Kiss			¾ minute
	3		Piggesnie			¾ minute
	4		The Fox			2¼ mins
	5		Sweet-and-Twenty			1¼ mins
	6		Sleep			2¼ mins
	7		Rest, Sweet Nymphs			2 mins
	8		Mourn No Moe			1½ mins
	9		Fill the Cup, Philip			1 minute

Recorded performance

Performed by the arranger: John Mitchell, Piano

Catalogue code: FM220 • Published: 31st December 2019
Entry last updated: 4th August 2020