Arrangements of Andrew Downes' Music 

On this page:
Shepherd's Dance for Instrumental Ensemble
The Holly Bough for Instrumental Ensemble
The Virgin's Cradle Hymn and The Mother's Song for Soprano soloist and ensemble
Five Movements for Piano Quartet
Five Movements for Piano Quintet
Three Movements for Piano and Orchestra
Pastorale, Elegy and Folkdance for Strings
The Lord's my Shepherd and The Lord's Prayer for Voice and Strings
Suite No.2 for Orchestra
Queen Elizabeth's Fantasy for String Quintet
Fanfare for Madam Speaker arr for Strings and Woodwind
Toccata for Double String Orchestra
Christmas Cantata for Instrumental Ensemble
Songs of Autumn for Instrumental Ensemble
Songs of Love for Soprano and String Orchestra
Concerto for Flute, Oboe and Orchestra
Sonata for Violin, Cello and Piano
Sonata for 8 Horns (Mvt 4) arr for Wind Band
Far from the Madding Crowd (extracts) arr for Chamber Orchestra
Cool Largo - arrangement of Sonatina for Piano for Guitar and Electric Bass Guitar


SHEPHERD'S DANCE 

Arrangement by Cynthia Downes for instrumental ensemble (2 fl;ob;4vlns;vla;vc;db) of Shepherd's Carol from Ballads for Christmas

First performed by the Hagley Middle School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Cynthia Downes, in December 1992 at three school carol services.  Subsequently performed by the same musicians as part of their programme for the National Festival of Music for Youth 1993.  These musicians then performed the arrangement in 3 concerts in Bruges, Belgium, in July 1993. The Belgian premiere took place at the Hotel Schwaene on 20th July 1993. 

The arrangement has subsequently been performed by other instrumentalists in Hagley, Worcestershire, at Christmas carol services.

First performed on October 10th 1997 at the Friends' Meeting House, Hertford, by 'Contrasts': Alla Sharova (violin), John Mayer (viola), Thomas Gardner (cello) and Gillian Mayer (piano).
This group gave subsequent performances at Birmingham Conservatoire (February 1999), and then in Holland and Luxembourg under the name 'Nevski Ensemble'. Their fist Netherlands performance was at Middachten Castle on 26th October 2000.


'This proved to be constantly interesting music and delightfully approachable. It has many beauties - melodies and fascinating rhythms - and makes the most of each of the instruments. The performance was vigorous, sensitive and confident, and in response to the audience's enthusiastic appreciation, the last movement was repeated as an encore at the end of the recital. It confirmed the first impression that further hearings would reveal even greater beauties in the music.'
HERTFORDSHIRE MERCURY


First performed at the United Reformed Church, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, on May 6th 2017 by the Amabile Quintet: Anna Downes and Dan Neville (violins), Victoria Backhouse (viola), Joanne Jefferis (cello)  and Marcel Zidani (piano).

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THREE MOVEMENTS FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA

Arrangement by Cynthia Downes of movements 2,3 and 4 for piano with strings, wind and keyboard from Five Movements for Piano and String Orchestra 

Movement 4 in this arrangement first performed in Hagley Free Church (Worcestershire), at a concert in aid of Acorn's Childrens' Hospice, by Paula Downes with Cynthia Downes' Pupils Orchestra in March 1996.

Movements 2,3 and 4 first performed by Michael Jones (piano) with the Hagley Community Orchestra, conducted by Cynthia Downes, in a 'Spring Celebration' concert in St Saviour's Church, Hagley, in May 2014.



PASTORALE, ELEGY AND FOLK DANCE for Strings 

Arranged by Cynthia Downes from movements from Suite No.1 for Brass Quintet

Listen to Anna Downes' version of Elegy, for 4 violins

Listen to Anna Downes' version of Folk Dance, for 4 violins


First performed by young musicians in Hagley (Worcestershire), directed by Cynthia Downes, in April 1998, and subsequently by ensembles in various UK Midlands venues, in particular by the Lynwood Lea Ensemble in the 'Downes Towards the Millennium' concert at St John's Church, Hagley, in September 1999. In October 2019, the Elegy and Folk Dance were performed at a concert for 'Music for Sanctuary' (raising funds for Homeless charities) in Hagley Free Church, by Hagley Community Orchestra, directed by Cynthia Downes. 

Anna Downes further arranged the Elegy and Folk Dance for 4 violins and played all 4 parts herself on multitrack recordings, which she posted online on May 3rd 2020 and May 26th 2020 respectively, in celebration of Andrew Downes' 70th birthday year and for her 'Music for Sanctuary' series of performances, raising funds for the homeless, during the Coronavirus lockdown.  To hear her recordings, click on the links between the title and the grey order form above.

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THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD and THE LORD'S PRAYER from the  Runnymede Choral Evensong Service

Arranged by Cynthia Downes for soprano and strings (with optional woodwind) from the original work for SATB Choir. First performed by Paula Downes with Anna Downes (violin), Cynthia Downes (viola), and Katie Pickford (cello) in St Anne's Church, Bewdley, Worcestershire, on 8th January 2005.  Subsequent performances by Paula Downes (soprano), both with string trio and with full strings and woodwind, have since taken place in numerous concerts and church services in Worcestershire.


SUITE N0.2 FOR ORCHESTRA  

Arranged by Cynthia Downes from Suite No.2 for Brass Quintet 

Four movements: Blazon; Queen Elizabeth's Fantasy; Scherzo; Finale

Read Cynthia Downes' Blog about the premiere

This full orchestral arrangement of the whole work was first performed at the Hagley Music Festival by Hagley Community Orchestra, directed by Cynthia Downes, on May 11th 2011.  The composer joined the orchestra (on keyboard) for this performance.


FANFARE FOR MADAM SPEAKER for Strings and Woodwind 

This arrangement for orchestra, by Cynthia Downes, of Fanfare for Madam Speaker (originally composed for 6 trumpets, 2 horns, 3 trombones and tuba) was first performed by the Hagley Community Orchestra, conducted by Cynthia Downes, in a concert in St Saviour’s Church, Hagley, Worcestershire, on March 17th 2012.


QUEEN ELIZABETH'S FANTASY for String Quintet 
(2vlns; 2vcs; db or keyboard)

Arrangement by Cynthia Downes of Movement 2 from Suite No.2 for Brass Quintet

First performed at the Clent Millennium Festival (Worcestershire) in April 2000. Subsequently performed at the May Day 2000 concert at St John's Church, Hagley (Worcestershire), and at the St Saviour's Church, Hagley, Centenary Concert on 29th November 2008.  These performances were directed by Cynthia Downes.


TOCCATA FOR DOUBLE STRING ORCHESTRA

Arranged by Cynthia Downes from Toccata for Small Orchestra


CHRISTMAS CANTATA

Cantata in 7 short movements for young voices (SATB) and school orchestra 

Instrumental arrangements, by Cynthia Downes, of individual movements have been performed on numerous occasions by musicians in Worcestershire, directed by Cynthia Downes.


SONGS OF AUTUMN

Instrumental arrangements, by Cynthia Downes, of Songs of Autumn for children's choir and chamber orchestra, have been performed on many occasions by instrumentalists in Worcestershire, directed by Cynthia Downes.              
Song no.4, The Cottager and her Infant, in its instrumental form, was performed by the Hagley Community Orchestra, conducted by Cynthia Downes, at the Christening of the composer's grandson, Oscar Andrew Leonard Price, in St Saviour's Church, Hagley, Worcestershire, on March 18th, 2007.
Song no.2, Carnival, as an instrumental arrangement, was performed at a special Centenary concert at St Saviour's Church, Hagley, Worcestrshire, on 29th November 2008, by the Lynwood Lea String Quintet.


SONGS OF LOVE

Arrangement for Soprano and String Orchestra, by Lee Armstrong, of Songs of Love for Soprano and Piano

Performed at St George's Edgbaston on May 1st 2010, and at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery on December 8th 2010, by Paula Downes (soprano) and the Central England Ensemble, conducted by Lee Armstrong.



CONCERTO FOR FLUTE, OBOE AND ORCHESTRA


Arrangement by Cynthia Downes of Concerto for Native American (or Alto Flute) and Strings
 first performed on 24th April 2013 in St John’s Church, Hagley, Worcestershire, as part of the 2013 Hagley Music Festival.  Soloists Diane McCreedy (flute) and Nadia Accili (oboe) were accompanied by the Hagley Community Orchestra.  The performance was introduced and directed by Cynthia Downes.  The composer joined the orchestra (on keyboard) for this performance.

‘Having Andrew Downes present at the concert and performing in it was very special, as was having his wife’s personal observations on the background to the Native American Concerto.’  David Blackburn, CONTACT Magazine.



THE HOLLY BOUGH
from Ballads for Christmas

Arranged by Cynthia Downes for soprano and orchestra from the original work for high voices.  First performed by Paula Downes with Hagley Community Orchestra, directed by Cynthia Downes, in St Saviour's Church, Hagley, on December 22nd 2013.  The composer performed (on keyboard) in this performance.

THE VIRGIN'S CRADLE HYMN and THE MOTHER'S SONG from Ballads for Christmas

Arranged by Cynthia Downes for soprano soloist and orchestra from the original work for high voices.  First performed by Paula Downes with Hagley Community Orchestra, directed by Cynthia Downes, in St Saviour's Church, Hagley, on December 22nd 2013. The composer performed (on keyboard) in this performance.



SONATA FOR VIOLIN, CELLO AND PIANO

Arrangement by Cynthia Downes of Sonata for Violin, Horn and Piano.

Read Cynthia Downes' account of the World Premiere

First performed at the Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery by Anna Downes (violin), Joanne Jefferis (cello) and Duncan Honeybourne (piano) on 11th September 2013.  These same artists have subsequently given further performances of this arrangement of the work at the Herbert Lumby Room, Elgar School of Music, Worcester (March 2014); at the Bay Theatre, Weymouth, Dorset (November 2014); and in Worcester Cathedral (February 2017).  

Purchase Downloadable Sheet Music:
(Do contact us if you want us to send you the music through the post instead)

Sonata for Violin, Horn and Piano
Score
Score & Parts Bundle
Individual Parts

Sonata for Violin, Cello and Piano (arrangement by Cynthia Downes)
Score
Score & Parts Bundle
Individual Parts

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MOVEMENT 4 from Sonata for 8 Horns arranged for Wind Band

This arrangement by Paula Downes was first performed on 22nd March 2005 by the South Hampstead High School Wind Band, directed by Paula Downes, at South Hampstead High School for Girls, London.


SUITE FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
 
from Far from the Madding Crowd  

Arrangements for Chamber Orchestra by Anna Downes of The Shearer’s Dance, The Banks of Allan Water and Harvest Supper, from Andrew Downes' Opera, Far from the Madding Crowd. First performed in July 2012, in school workshops, and in concerts in St John’s Church, Hagley, and St James’ Church, Wollaston, by the Chamber Orchestra of Oldswinford Hospital School, directed by Anna Downes.

 



COOL LARGO - arrangement by Fred T.Baker for Guitar and Electric Bass Guitar of Sonatina for Piano
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If you have performed in any of Andrew Downes' works or come to listen, please share your experiences in the Premieres Blog! Also see what others have said. Thank you so much for your contribution.





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