Michael Hurd was born in Gloucester in 1928, the son of a self-employed cabinetmaker and upholsterer. National Service with the Intelligence Corps involved a posting...

Michael Hurd was born in Gloucester in 1928, the son of a self-employed cabinetmaker and upholsterer. National Service with the Intelligence Corps involved a posting to Vienna, where he developed a burgeoning passion for opera. He studied at Pembroke College, Oxford with Sir Thomas Armstrong and Dr. Bernard Rose and became President of the University Music Society. Hurd's love of literature and the human voice illuminated a natural talent for word-setting. Hence his catalogue is dominated by choral and vocal works, including operas, 'pop' cantatas, songs and anthems. He was especially noted for his many scores for children and amateurs, and his care to ensure that the material he wrote was within the reach of non-professional singers and accompanists accords with his conviction that composers should adopt a practical approach to their craft. This release is volume two of Michael Hurd's choral music, and also includes his complete solo songs for voice and piano.