IN PREP

Seven Pieces in Alphabetical Order. 1947 revised 1960. For piano.

Note on title page:
'These pieces are designed to be played in the order given, on a piano which has the top C.
It is said that in Hindu music certain notes are named after creatures.
This work, first written in July 1947, was re-written in September 1960'.
Note on title page of original: 'The notes of the Hindu scale are called after various birds and animals: C. Peacock - D. Rainy season bird - E. Goat - F. Crane - G. Cuckoo - A. Frog - B. Elephant. The music attempts to illustrate the animals and suggest the appropriate key'.

Fortunare Nos was composed in 1986 for the wedding of one of Tranchell's students. It incorporates the hymn tune Wish Road originally written for Eastbourne College in 1950. The words are from a hymn by Henry J. Buckoll (1803-71) in Psalms and Hymns for Rugby School Chapel, 1850, and the Latin verse is a translation, presumably by Tranchell, of Verse 1.

"The Fire Raisers" was written by Max Frisch in German (1958) as "Biedermann und die Brandstifter". Originally a radio play, it was later adapted

The full anthem Cantantibus organis for St Cecilia’s Day was written by Peter Tranchell in 1987 for use by the choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he was Precentor (Director of Music), and it was sung at Evensong (presumably on St Cecilia’s Day, 22 November) that year. It was written for S.A.T.T.B. and Organ.

Four versions of this quadruple chant are known. Three are found in the Cambridge University Library archive: 

Two (and possibly three) versions of this triple chant are found in the Cambridge University Library archive: 

Four versions of this double chant are known. Three are found in the Cambridge University Library archive: 

Peter Tranchell's Sonatina for pianoforte (1949) is a little mysterious - Tranchell didn't mention it in letters home, and was at the time talking more about his piano concerto (which either never materialised or has been lost). Two versions of the Sonatina exists in the CU archive; one bearing the dedication "For Jane" is presumed by Peter Marchbank to be the definitive version.

"Heaven!", for voice and piano, was written in 1954 for performance in "Just as it Comes" at Trinity College, Cambridge. The lyrics are by Simon Phipps (Chaplain at Trinity College 1953-57 and Bishop of Lincoln between 1974 and 1987).

Peter Tranchell wrote this setting of Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd) in 1962 for unison voices and organ, revised it in 1970 for two-part male-voices and organ, and again in 1976 for ATBrB choir and organ. The score published here has been arranged for SATB by Peter Marchbank.

"Suite" was published in the Draconian, the school magazine of the Dragon School, in August 1935. The score shows that Tranchell

When PAT eventually bought a television he became obsessed with the Australian TV soap Neighbours (among other things!). He arranged the well-known theme tune (by Tony Hatch) as an Anglican chant - it was heard at least once in Caius chapel services, receiving the reaction ‘that seems faintly familiar...’ although the harmonisation is pure Tranchell. The composer's name is an anagram of "Neighbours", and the arranger "I'm astraan" i.e. Australian. The chant was probably written around 1987.

These settings were composed by Peter Tranchell, Precentor (Director of Music) at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, for use by the chapel choir in the regular round of evening services. Although written three years apart and for a slightly different disposition of voices, Tranchell clearly saw them as a ‘set’ since they were recorded together in 1981 for private release on the LP recording ‘Music from Caius’ in 1985.

The composer’s note at the end of the manuscript reads: ‘‘The Virgoan Responses were composed late August* 1972 for ATBrBB unacc, revised 1976, re-written for SATBrBB unacc in late August 1987. P.A.T.’’ 

* the Virgoan period of the year.

1972 was when the Chapel Choir first included male altos in addition to the established Tenors, Baritones and Basses. This set has a number of companion settings, all for male voices with altos at the top, most named after signs of the astrological zodiac: Arian (1973), Libran (1972), Quintilian (1981) and Sagittarian (1981). As the Virgoan was the only set Tranchell revised for the Chapel Choir when sopranos joined, it might be assumed they were his favourite.