Hugh S. Roberton
ALL IN THE APRIL EVENING
for voice and piano
Roberton 2555

Born in Glasgow, Hugh Roberton became a funeral director apart from being a conductor and composer. A highly motivated and self-taught choir-master, he founded the Toynbee Musical Association in 1901 and five years later, this became the Glasgow Orpheus Choir which gained a world-wide reputation and went on to perform under Hugh's direction for some 45 years. He composed much for his choir, with perhaps his most famous pieces being "All in the April Evening" and the "Mingulay Boat Song". He had a reputation for getting the very best from his singers, who held him in such great esteem that when he resigned as their leader shortly before his death, the choir agreed that they must disband. However, the Orpheus rose again when many of its members re-formed as the Glasgow Phoenix Choir, which continues to perform and tour to this day. Hugh Roberton was knighted in 1931.
There are versions of "All in the April Evening" available for unaccompanied mixed voice choir (SATB), solo voice, unison voices, female voice choir, male voice choir, mixed voice choir (SAB), with Welsh words and also in an arrangement for string orchestra and a "meditation" for organ.
Duration nearly 3 minutes