Description
The Fitzwilliam Virginal Book is widely regarded as the most important surviving manuscript of 16th and 17th century English keyboard music. The collection contains almost 300 works by many of the major composers of the period. Amongst them are 52 compositions by Giles Farnaby (ca.1563-1640). Number CCXLV (245) is Farnaby’s ever-popular Tower Hill. Tower Hill is an open area of raised land just north of the Tower of London which, in Farnaby’s day, was an execution site but the area would also have been used for fairs and celebrations.
Farnaby’s Tower Hill is likely a version of a popular old English song, although the words are lost. This version of Tower Hill was written for the Hong Kong-based wind quintet Eastern Winds by Graham Sheen. It is certainly not just an arrangement: here we have Tower Hill ‘reinvented’ – given a distinctly modern twist whilst still being just as wonderfully recognisable and catchy.
Note: It is preferable to use a piccolo in this piece, but an alternative flute part is provided should the flautist not possess a piccolo.
Graham Sheen is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and became a professor there in 1979. He was principal bassoonist of both the BBC Symphony Orchestra (1983-2017) and, until 2016, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, having completed forty years’ service. He has appeared extensively as soloist with both orchestras and in April 2013 gave the première of a new bassoon concerto by Judith Bingham. He has recorded two solo CDs with Elizabeth Burley for SFZ Music. Graham is also a composer, editor and arranger with over sixty published works. He has written several graded albums and studies for bassoon and bassoon ensemble, including Mr Sheen’s Miscellany, a series of 13 pieces for the Trinity Guildhall Examination Board.
