I've been working on this one for a while. It's so joyful, I was almost afraid to begin designing it. It's been requested by Quentin, whose favourite version of it is not as written, sung by a counter tenor and a tenor, but with the tenor part transcribed for trumpet by new trumpeter star Alison Balsom with counter tenor friend Iestyn Davies. I think Quentin is right - it's a perfect transcription. None of the text is left out by dropping one of the voices and the trumpet's tone is an amazing blend with the countertenor tone. I believe she plays the baroque trumpet, as depicted here, which has to be extraordinarily difficult (valveless, as I understand it). And she does it faultlessly, seemingly effortlessly and she looks gorgeous at the same time. No Satchmo chipmunk cheeks or anything - even her blonde hair doesn't fall out of place - it's not fair!
The two waves of colour represent the way the two melodies play off each other, and the colour is a bit childlike intentionally. For it is playful - they are having so much fun! Purcell is gazing out from the trumpet, looking a bit pleased with himself, as well he should.
And then, from the truly sublime to the ..... well, unlikely! Another Beatles song to belt out in the car on a long journey. Octopus' Garden. To go along with the Yellow Submarine. Hmm - bath toys - that gives me an idea for my grandson's first birthday in a couple of weeks .....
Thanks to Kathy for the great embroidery, especially the tree-like seaweed, which as the text suggests, keeps the octopus gardener in the shade!
More requests coming up next week - see you then.
Happy listening in the meantime,
Susan
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