Description
Book SynopsisSuitable for SATB chorus, children's choir and jazz quintet with percussion, this title features children's playground songs from Ghana and Zimbabwe, a Xhosa lullaby for mothers of the victims of Apartheid, a rousing drinking song, and music used on religious occasions.
Trade ReviewA profoundly moving work, Zimbe! consists of songs from all over Africa, arranged by UK composer L'Estrange, and performed by a mixed adult choir, children's choir and a jazz quintet featuring the deft Simon Allen (sax), Adam Riley (percussion) and Mike Bradley (drums). The combination of swing, gospel and a cappella has an immediate impact. From the opener, Njooni! Zimbe!, through to the original Song For The Soul, Alexander has captured the essence of the material and generated impassioned performances. An important release which will hopefully inspire school groups and choirs nation-wide to perform these pieces.
The Musician Magazine, Autumn 2010
This 40-minute piece, which traditionally would have been called a cantata, qualifies for review in a church music magazine by virtue of the number of movements within it based on African gospel music, and its recent, successful performances in sacred venues, including Lichfield and Ely cathedrals where the cathedral choristers joined adult singers and children from local primary schools. The writing for the children is particularly skilful: the African melodies are easily learnt and then fit easily into the surrounding musical texture. The songs include the Methodist sacred song Singabahambayo Thina, wedding songs from Zimbabwe and South Africa, and among four other South African songs the ubiquitous Siyahamba, 'We are marching in the light of God', in an uplifting, spirit-stirring arrangement. If you have an opportunity to combine adult singers and local schools, do look at the whole work. Equally, I look forward to hearing individual movements enriching worship as I am sure will happen once singers experience this infectiously tuneful collection of pieces.
Stephen Patterson, Church Music Quarterly
