Alexander L'Estrange

Alexander Richard William L'Estrange (born 7 April 1974) is an English composer of choral music and music for television and an arranger for world-class vocal ensembles. He is also an accomplished jazz musician (piano and double bass), choral workshop leader, presenter of children's concerts and jazz examiner and trainer for ABRSM.

Personal life

Born in Bristol, L'Estrange grew up in Oxford and was educated at New College School where he was a chorister, Lord William's School, and the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe. He read Music at Merton College, Oxford, gaining a First Class Honours Degree. He is married to professional singer Joanna Forbes L'Estrange with whom he has two sons, Toby and Harry.[1]

Works

Large-scale choral works

L'Estrange's flagship work Zimbe! Come sing the songs of Africa! (2008)[2] established his name as one of Britain's most popular living choral composers, receiving 150 performances worldwide within its first five years. Scored for SATB adult choir, unison children's choir and jazz quintet, the music is a fusion of African song and jazz. With the same scoring, Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose (2013)[3] is a fusion of Tudor songs and sea shanties, commissioned to commemorate the opening of Portsmouth's state-of-the-art museum which houses the hull of King Henry VIII's warship, the Mary Rose. Zadok rules – hallelujah! (2013) was commissioned by the Hanover Band to celebrate sixty years since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[4] Based on Handel's coronation anthems, the piece is scored for SATB adult choir, unison children's choir and Baroque orchestra and the text traces all of Britain's monarchs from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II. Song Cycle – vive la vélorution! (2014) is a choral work comprising songs (both original and arranged) about cycling and the great outdoors, performed in York Minster at the opening of the Tour de France in 2014.[5] Other large-scale choral works include And the stones sing and Let all the world in every corner sing.[1]

Small-scale choral works

Choral anthems with organ include Lute-book lullaby, On eagles' wings and Tune me, O Lord. Unaccompanied choral anthems include Love comes quietly, My song is love unknown, Oculi Omnium, Epiphany Carol (runner-up in the St Paul's Cathedral commission competition 2013) and Prayers for peace, three settings of the prayers God be in my head, Lighten our darkness and The Lord's prayer. Choral pieces suitable for children's choirs include Irish blessing, Go forth in peace and This is our world. L'Estrange's compositions are published by Faber Music.[6]

Songs

Alexander L'Estrange's output as a songwriter includes three settings for solo voice and piano of poems by Shelley, Tennyson and Byron entitled Love's philosophy: She walks in beauty, Now sleeps the crimson petal and Love's philosophy are on the ABRSM singing syllabus.[6] He has also written a one-woman musical, in collaboration with author Michelle Magorian, called Hello life! and several jazz originals recorded on the album New things to say by his jazz ensemble L'Estranges in the Night.[7]

Arrangements

Alexander L'Estrange is consultant editor and chief arranger for the Choral Basics series, published by Faber Music.[6] His arrangements for vocal ensembles including The Swingle Singers, The King's Singers, amarcord, Voces8 and Tenebrae are highly acclaimed. L'Estrange wrote all of the arrangements for and produced Great American Songbook, the album released in 2013 by The King's Singers.[8]

Television

Alexander L'Estrange composed the theme tune and incidental music for the BBC'S CBeebies programme Magic Hands (2012),[9] recorded by his sons, Toby and Harry L'Estrange. He also writes for the library music company Audio Network with his music featuring on such television programmes as The One Show, Grand Designs and Antiques Roadshow.[6]

Chronological discography

Recordings of arrangements and original compositions by Alexander L'Estrange

External links

References

  1. 1 2 "Alexander L'Estrange official biography". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Official Zimbe website". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Official Ahoy website". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Zadok – Sing Hallelujah official video". Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "York Minster diary page". Retrieved 15 June 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Faber Music composer biog". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "L'Estranges in the Night website". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "The King's Singers Official website". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "BBC Magic Hands website". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
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