Name: Bussey, Martin: Shropshire Lass
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Bussey, Martin: Shropshire Lass

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Arrangement: settings of Mary Webb for soprano and guitar
Edition Type: score
Publisher: Composers Edition
Catalogue Number: ce-mb2sl1
Pages: 48
Date Published: 28th Sep 2022

Shropshire Lass reflects Martin Bussey’s absorption in the borderland country where he lives. Lasting around 35 minutes, the work tells a story of love, loss and memory. Designed to be semi-staged, it sets the poetry of the early twentieth century Shropshire poet and novelist Mary Webb. The Shropshire countryside is a significant element as the singer traces her past love, and his loss in the 1914-18 war. Together with this emphasis on nature there is also a notable sexual charge in Webb’s poetry. This has inspired music of passion as well as reflection. It results in challenging demands for singer and guitarist, both technically, and in strong rhythmic energy and complexity. Melodically, the music ranges from the declamatory to intimate reflection. The two performers interact as characters in performance. Each presents significant solo movements as well as combining in varied duo textures.

Shropshire Lass, for soprano and guitar, was drafted in 2021. It was written for the Holly Teague and Michael Matthews duo and then workshopped with them. Its first full performances were as part of the Marches Songbook Project in October and November 2022, which focused on creative artists working in the historic area of the Cheshire, Shropshire and Welsh Borders.

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