Douglas Steele: Autumn Sequence: Gemischter Chor mit Ensemble

Steele's superb song-cycle Autumn Sequence was written for the pupils of Stockport Grammar School, and is scored for speaker, solo voices, chorus, flute or piccolo or recorder, tubular bells, handbells, organ pedal and piano, being the rather idiosyncratic resources then available at the school. It was first performed on October 3rd 1969 in the schools Hallam Hall, where the composer had been responsible for the specification of the recently installed organ. Douglas Steele himself played the piano part in his own inimitable style extending and improvising the cadenzas between the movements. A recording is available on Campion Cameo 2040/1 featuring Richard Baker narrating and choirs from Carlisle Cathedral, with John Turner on recorder. Autumn Sequence can be heard on the album Autumn Sequence: The Music of Douglas Steele and his circle.