This book charts the life of Arthur Sullivan-the best loved and most widely performed British composer in history. While he is best known for his comic opera collaborations with W. S. Gilbert, it was his substantial corpus of sacred music which meant most to him and for which he wanted to be remembered. His upbringing and training in church music, and his own religious beliefs, substantially affected both his compositions for the theatre and his more serious work, which included oratorios, cantatas, sacred ballads, liturgical pieces, and hymns. Focusing on the spiritual aspects of Sullivan's life-which included several years as a church organist, involvement in Freemasonry, and an undying attachment to Anglican church music-Ian Bradley uses hitherto undiscovered letters, diary entries, and other sources to reveal the important influences on his faith and his work. No saint and certainly no ascetic, he was a lover of life and enjoyed its pleasures to the full. At the same time, he had a rare spiritual sensitivity, a sincere Christian faith, and a unique ability to uplift through both his character and his music that can best be described as a quality of divine emollient.

Shall I compare thee? is a collection of ten exquisite settings for mixed voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers.

for SATB and piano or strings The Marriage of True Minds is an emotive setting of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, a favourite text for weddings. Chilcott presents two distinct musical characters: the music for the first quatrain is warm, passionate, and optimistic, featuring changing metres and rich harmonies, while the music for the second and third quatrains is contemplative yet resolute, featuring running triplets in the accompaniment. The closing couplet is a fusion of both characters, leading to a heartfelt, touching finale. An accompaniment for strings is available on hire/rental.

A History of Western Choral Music explores the various genres, key composers, and influential works essential to the development of the western choral tradition. Author Chester L. Alwes divides this exploration into two volumes which move from Medieval music and the Renaissance era up to the 21st century. Volume I surveys the choral music of composers including Josquin, Palestrina, Purcell, Handel, and J.S. Bach while detailing the stylistic, textual, and extramusical considerations unique to the topics covered. Consideration of Renaissance music includes both sacred and secular works, specifically addressing the growth of sacred music, the rise of secular music, and the proliferation of sacred polyphony from Josquin to Palestrina. Discussion of the Baroque era is organized by geographic location, exploring the spread of Baroque style from Italy to German, France, and England. Volume I concludes by examining the aesthetic underpinnings of the early Classical and Romantic eras. Framing discussion within the political, religious, cultural, philosophical, aesthetic, and technological contexts of each era, A History of Western Choral Music offers readers specialized insight into major composers and works while providing a cohesive understanding of choral music's place in Western history.

for SATB and piano or orchestra Dances of Time is a diverse collection of five choral songs addressing different aspects of time. Texts ranging from biblical to twentieth century are set to Chilcott's attractive and characterful music, drawing on elements of dance forms in various styles. The work opens with a rhythmic setting of Henry VIII's famous text 'Pastime with good company', before the contrastingly wistful and reflective 'Today'. The carpe diem sentiment of 'Gather ye rosebuds' is heightened through its setting as a lively jig, and in 'To every thing there is a season' a central section presents the paired images of the text from Ecclesiastes, enclosed by almost hymn-like outer segments. The infectiously positive 'Life has loveliness' sums up the overall message of the collection: despite the passing of time, we can celebrate the present through music and singing.

for SATB and organ or small orchestra Recognising the frequency with which this buoyant Cornish carols is performed with organ accompaniment, the composer has taken the opportunity of this anniversary edition to make an organ reduction of the orchestral material. With its combination of pagan and Christian imagery and references to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this carol is well suited to performance at Passiontide and Easter, as well as at Christmas.

for SSATB (with divisions) unaccompanied In Christus est stella, Will Todd sets words by the Venerable Bede, which are also found inscribed above Bede's tomb in the Galilee Chapel of Durham Cathedral. Featuring the original Latin text intertwined with an English translation, the piece is homophonic and by turns ecstatic and calmly contemplative. It is particularly suitable for All Saints, All Souls, and Remembrance Day, as well as for funerals. Christus est stella was originally published in the collection Cantica Nova.

for SATB and piano This captivating carol with words by Kevin Crossley-Holland features satisfyingly rich harmonies and a rippling piano accompaniment that draws inspiration from the water imagery of the text. In the mould of God be in my head (from the 1514 Sarum Primer), the words implore the Christ-child to dwell within us, and Chilcott's setting perfectly complements the text with its beguiling vocal lines and affirmatory feel.

for SATB and percussion (two players) This powerfully evocative and uplifting work celebrates the pursuit, and eventual discovery, of water. Brimming with freshness and vitality, The Miracle of the Spring encompasses an array of moods and styles that perfectly convey the essence of Charles Bennett's text, from the relentless rhythmic motifs depicting the parched landscape to the flowing aleatoric fragments suggesting the gushing of the spring. The simple percussion parts for glockenspiel, mark tree, and log drums add texture and drive to the a cappella voices and may be performed by two choir members or separate percussionists. Imbued with rich harmonies, infectious rhythms, and unforgettable melodies, this piece will leave both choir and audience feeling inspired.

for SSA and piano This jubilant and uplifting carol is sure to become a Christmas classic. The memorable melodies have a fittingly dance-like quality, and the bell-like piano part adds festive sparkle, while providing a resolute rhythmic grounding. Coupling the familiar Christmas words with lesser-known verses of the traditional carol depicting Jesus in the wilderness and the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, this piece is suitable for concerts and services throughout the year.

for SSA or SSS and organ or strings Originally published in a version for mixed voices, this much-loved Rutter carol has been adapted by the composer for performance by upper-voice choirs. Full scores and Sets of Parts, specially composed for the upper-voice version, are available on sale and on hire/rental. The Set of Parts contains the following string parts: 4 x vln I, 4 x vln II, 3 x vla, 2 x vc, 1 x db.

Choral Scores is an anthology of music exemplifying distinctive choral repertoire by the most noteworthy composers throughout the history of Western music. A companion volume to Denis Shrock's Choral Repertoire (Oxford 2009), it presents works of salient importance to the development of choral music in Western culture, representing the music of the composers, eras, and movements discussed most prominently in that volume. Including 132 compositions by 124 different composers, each presented unabridged and in full score, and spanning the entirety of Western music history, from the medieval era through the twentieth century, and into the twenty-first, Choral Scores is the most thorough, and up-to-date collection of choral music available. Complete with an appendix offering literal translations of texts, as well as composer and genre indices, Choral Scores is an essential reference for choral scholars, teachers, and students alike.

for SATB and piano Commissioned for the 2015 National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association, Wide Open Spaces reflects on the journeys and adventures to be found in the wide open spaces within ourselves and in the world around us. The uplifting melody is passed from the upper voices to the lower voices before the piece opens out into an expansive texture with rich harmonies. Quartel introduces a playful episode of scat singing before a resolute final chorus brings this evocative piece to a peaceful and serene close.

for SATB and organ A stunning atmosphere is instantly created in this short piece by an almost ethereal organ part, featuring flourishes on flute stops, later supported by a drone-like pedal line. The choral lines are slow-moving and homophonic, allowing the text to come to the fore. These words are traditionally used on Trinity Sunday, but their general message is suitable for use throughout the year, making Owens's setting a useful and practical addition to any church choir's repertory.

for mezzo-soprano and baritone soloists, SATB chorus, and piano, orchestra, or brass ensemble The story of Good King Wenceslas on the Feast of Stephen is presented here as a vivid musical narrative, with solo parts for the characters of Wenceslas (baritone) and Page (mezzo-soprano). Chilcott sets new words by Charles Bennett to a colourful array of styles to recount their snow-bound story. The choir sets the scene before Wenceslas and Page meet in 'Who can that be?', and the story-telling continues in several contrasting movements, including a touching solo ballad from Page entitled 'Thank you' and the strong yet reflective closing movement, 'On St Stephen's Night'. The full five verses of the well-known carol are skilfully interwoven throughout the work in different parts, with the final verse being sung by the audience or a semi-chorus, and the movements are punctuated by an instrumental interlude and triumphant fanfare. An orchestral accompaniment is available on hire/rental.

for SATB and organ or large orchestra Adapted from a version originally written for baritone Bryn Terfel, this choral setting of Wilberg's arrangement presents the popular Welsh hymn (Cwm Rhondda) with two English translation options, reflecting text preferences of different denominations. The accompaniment and harmonies provide a new flavour, and a reflective opening gradually gives way to a powerful sense of reverence. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah features on the Deutsche Grammophon album Homeward Bound, in an arrangement for baritone (Bryn Terfel) and choir.

for SATB wordless chorus, viola solo, and orchestra A suite for solo viola, wordless chorus (SATB), and small orchestra, Flos Campi is one of Vaughan Williams's most enigmatic pieces. Although the six movements all borrow their titles from the Old Testament's Song of Solomon, the chorus never articulates a single word. Instead, it serves as a section of the orchestra, creating an elegant vocal texture and backdrop to the viola's haunting solo lines. The work was premiered in October 1925 by the violist Lionel Tertis, singers from the RCM, and the Queen's Hall Orchestra, directed by Sir Henry Wood.

for SSAA and piano Here in my Heart is an uplifting and optimistic setting of an original text by the composer that explores the power of the natural world to fill the heart with song. The evocative melody perfectly complements the theme of the text and uses duplets and syncopated rhythms to create a lilting sense of ebb and flow. The rippling piano part and increasingly rich textures build to bring the piece to an emotive close.