Suite for 3 Violins
A suite of three contrasting movements for unaccompanied violins.
Interweaving melodies and rhythms performed here by violinist Emma Blanco, on all three parts.
It can be performed by 3 soloists or as an ensemble.
Sheet music available in Store
Deeds Not Words “Suffragette Sonata”
"Deeds Not Words" is a film of Libby Croad's "Suffragette Sonata" for solo viola.
Performed by Beth McNinch: Viola
Ali Clarke: Choreographer/Dancer
Filmed by Rob Noonan/Twisted Vision Lighting by Noel McElligot.
Commissioned by Beth McNinch in 2022, this is a sonata for solo viola based on women’s rights and the suffrage movement.
Made up of 3 movements;
Deeds Not Words - Emmeline - Derby Day
Ode
Ode is a violin and cello duo written in memory of Mark Blanco. Performed by Emma Blanco on violin and Sarah Huson-Whyte on cello.
The piece is continuous but made up of four sections. It starts with a slow, still opening to set the scene. The second section is based on the form of an old English folk song called “Death and a Lady”, where the protagonist meets Death on her journey as this felt symbolic and poignant for Mark’s story. This moves into a faster folk-inspired section to celebrate his joie de vivre. The piece ends with a return to the original theme but with a more hopeful and uplifting feel.
See Justiceformark.com for more about Mark’s story.
Sheet music available in Store
Aqua
This is one of 4 pieces based on the elements. Flowing and reflective melodies.
Written for piano, violin and cello and recorded by City Soloists, cover art by Bimbi Urquhart.
Audio example below
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Ignis
This is one of 4 pieces based on the elements. Exciting and rhythmic passages, with expansive melodies.
Written for piano, violin and cello and recorded by City Soloists, cover art by Bimbi Urquhart.
Audio example below
Sheet music available in Store
Terra
This is one of 4 pieces based on the elements. With a folk feel, musically depicting wide landscapes.
Written for piano, violin and cello and recorded by City Soloists, cover art by Bimbi Urquhart.
Audio example below
Sheet music available in Store
Zephyr
This is one of 4 pieces based on the elements. Get whisked away on a musical breeze, with soaring melodies.
Written for piano, violin and cello and recorded by City Soloists, cover art by Bimbi Urquhart.
Audio example below
Sheet music available in Store
Suite for String Orchestra
The Suite for String Orchestra was performed by the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded by Apple and Biscuit Recordings, for a broadcast on Classic FM, presented by John Suchet.
It has recently been performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Mozart Players in 2023.
Sheet music available in Store
Recognition
Recognition was commissioned by the wonderful Queen Victoria’s Consort.
The piece uses inspiration from Fanny Mendelssohn’s “The Italien” and aims to shine a light on the struggles she faced as a female composer, with her work often misattributed to her brother Felix.
Here is a performance by QVC on their recent pilgrimage to the North East of England in 2023, performing on 19th century period instruments.
Essence
Libby’s work Essence was written for her sister, violinist Anna Croad, last year. Libby wanted to mark the time when many performers were unable to perform to live audiences, and create a piece filled with a sense of freedom and a space for self-expression. This video was broadcast on the Classic Fm online channel, and was recorded and filmed by Apple and Biscuit Recordings.
Sheet music available in Store
Ascension
The Choir of Girton College, Cambridge perform Ascension.
Written as part of a collection of short pieces by different composers, Ascension is an Introit for unaccompanied four part choir, set to the wonderful poetry of Malcolm Guite. A truly beautiful performance under the direction of Gareth Wilson.
Sheet music available in Store
Circles
The Lantivet Duo, Anna Brigham and Brendan Musk, premiered Libby’s piece Circles for violin and piano as part of their innovative online concert series over the lockdown last year.
The music describes the title of the work by having a circular form, with the piano creating a canon effect with the violin.
Sheet music available in Store
To The Immaculate Heart of Mary
This piece for SATB unaccompanied choir was orginally commissioned by Khoros Choir, for their album Mother of God directed by Partrick Allies.
Set to a text by Enfant de Marie 1893, which is relatively unknown but beautiful.
The CD is available for purchase here.
Sheet music available in Store
Silent Night
Silent Night, performed live by The Chapel Choir of Girton College Cambridge.
The New London Singers were the first to premiere Libby’s Silent Night in 2016 and it has continued to be popular with choirs and audiences alike.
Silent Night was performed by The Chapel Choir of Girton College Cambridge and broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019, and performed by the BBC Singers on BBC Radio 3 in 2020. It has also been published by Multitude of Voyces in an anthology of Sacred Music by women composers and can be purchased here.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve performed here by the BBC Singers in December 2022 for their live broadcast on BBC Radio 3, a concert of contemporary carols in Temple Church.
This was a premiere of the new carol set to the beautiful text by Christina Rossetti.
Close harmonies and haunting melodies.
Christmas Eve is for SATB choir and the sheet music can be purchased here.
Sheet music available in Store
Portrait of Christina Rossetti, poet
Away In A Manger
Premiered by The English Chamber Choir at St Martin in the Fields in 2018. This video captures the first performance at their sold out Christmas carol concert of Libby’s original setting to the well known text of Away In A Manger.
Sheet music available in Store
In Memoriam
Set to the poignant and uplifting text of Alfred Lord Tennyson, drawing many parallels with current times, Libby was inspired to set music to this text for unaccompanied choir. Written last year and performed and recorded here by The Choir of Christ Church Chelsea, under the direction of Gareth Wilson.
Sheet music available in Store
Secret Garden
An album of reflective and relaxing solo piano music. Secret Garden for Felt Music – listen here