Lisa Portus has been arranging music since her student days in the 1980s at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London but it wasn’t until 2008 that Portus Press was officially established. Initially offering just a handful of pieces, the catalogue has now expanded considerably offering a wide range of exciting arrangements for wind quintet, wind quintet and piano, and bassoon quartet and a small (but growing) range of original works.
Much of the repertoire that Portus Press offers has never been arranged before and, from Praetorius to the Pink Panther and Bach to the Beatles, there’s a diverse range on offer. Many of the arrangements are of unashamedly popular music (great for encores and background music) but there are also a number of substantial, serious musical works.
Several Portus Press titles have been broadcast on radio and BBC TV. Walton’s Façade Suite is available on CD by Nicholas Daniel’s Haffner Wind Ensemble and the Finnish Idée Fixe Wind Quintet included Bratton's Teddy Bears' Picnic in a CD released in 2010.
The overriding aim with every piece is to provide imaginative, fun music that is well balanced and entertaining to play and to listen to. Importantly, every player has something interesting to do. The many positive comments that have been received from happy customers right around the globe are very much valued.
Recently one customer wrote: “Your pieces were a real discovery for us and your name has become a short-hand reference for quality arrangements. I wanted to express my appreciation for your work and to thank you for the pleasure it has given us. Long may it continue...” Praise indeed!
Visit www.portuspress.com to find out more. Lisa Portus can be contacted at mail@portuspress.com.