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Books > Music > Musical scores, lyrics & libretti
for SATB and organ. This setting of verses from John 7
imaginatively depicts the 'rivers of living water' and the
contrasting 'parched land' in episodic form, providing musical
structure, variety, colour, and atmosphere. An independent but
delicate organ part brings further colour while underpinning long
vocal lines, which interweave and occasionally perform
unaccompanied.
for CCBar, piano, and opt. alto sax Red Boots On is a funky setting
of a poem by Kit Wright, brought to life by Chilcott's jazzy chords
and groovy syncopated rhythms. The melody begins in unison and
grows in texture throughout the piece, and is accompanied by a
characterful piano part. This new arrangement for cambiata voices
also includes an optional alto saxophone part. Also available in a
version for upper voices and piano.
for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Setting Revelation 21: 1-5,
this short anthem is in McGlade's typically fluid style, with
harmonic twists, changing metres, and tempo fluctuations. With some
divisi in the upper parts, it will be particularly welcomed by
experienced church and cathedral singers as a new take on these
well-known words.
for SSAA and piano Refuge sets a powerful Sara Teasdale poem by the
same name, which perfectly captures the healing power of singing:
'For with my singing I can make a refuge for my spirit's sake, A
house of shining words, to be my fragile immortality'. Quartel uses
musical structure to complement the poem's narrative, opening and
closing with music marked 'resilient and strong', with a central
section that is 'warm and hopeful', as expressed by rich harmonies
and soaring melodic lines. The piano underpins this expressive
setting with steady continuous quaver motion, and provides
characterful harmonic moments.
for SSATBarB unaccompanied Setting words by the composer, One of
these days is an affirmatory piece with pop-inspired rhythms and
harmonies. The scat syllables and repeating patterns of the lower
parts provide a rich cushion for the lilting melody of the soprano
lines, with lyrics that encourage us to seize the day!
for unison voices and piano This secular work for upper voices
sensitively sets Langston Hughes's poem of the same name. A lilting
melodic line, eloquent part-writing, and an effective piano part
combine to create a piece that will appeal to both youth and adult
choirs. Also available in versions for SA and piano, SABar and
piano, and solo voice (high/low).
for SSSAAA unaccompanied This imaginative setting of Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow's poem encourages the use of evocative bird
and wind noises to capture the text's natural imagery. In a fresh,
a cappella style, Hawley's charismatic melodies soar through the
vibrant texture, and offer plenty of opportunities for soloistic
singing. Also available in a version for alto solo and SSATB
unaccompanied.
for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This is an expressive
setting of Sara Teasdale's poem 'Peace', with lush, rich harmonies
and a soft dynamic palette. Poignant and peaceful, and perfect for
choirs who enjoy refining blend and ensemble, this setting will
provide a reflective moment in a concert programme.
for SATB and organ With a feeling of celebration, Bullard's setting
of the well-known Psalm 100 is energetic and exciting. A spritely
organ part supports bold statements in the vocal lines, while the
middle section offers some thoughtful introspection. Perfect for
services and encores.
for SATB unaccompanied This is a warm and tender piece setting the
last three verses of Christina Rossetti's 'What good shall my life
do me?', which encourages leading a life of love as an example for
others. Daley's heartfelt melodies are set to hymn-like textures
and flow freely in ever-changing time signatures.
for SATB unaccompanied William Romanis's hymn text is brought to
life in this enchanting anthem with unexpected harmonic shifts and
fluctuating time signatures. Rooney glides gracefully between tonal
centres, creating a beautiful, ethereal atmosphere. Also published
in Breath of Song.
for SATB (with divisions) and organ or orchestra This affecting
setting of the well-known poem from George Herbert's The Temple
features rich harmonies and sweeping melodies to create a work of
depth and poignancy. The piece begins with an instrumental
introduction, before the melody is taken up first by upper voices,
then full chorus.
for SATB and piano This atmospheric setting of familiar words from
Shakespeare's As You Like It is sprightly and uplifting, with
singers being asked by the composer to perform with 'a bit of frost
and a knowing smile'. Also available in a version for SSA and
piano, and solo voice and piano (high/low).
for SSAA and piano Like the original version for SATB voices, this
upper-voice arrangement of Wide Open Spaces reflects on the
journeys and adventures to be found in the wide opens spaces within
ourselves and in the world around us. The uplifting melody is
passed from the sopranos to the altos 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 ATB unaccompanied Scored especially for ATB to meet social
distancing requirements, this piece has both special resonance and
practical application in these uncertain times. McGlade's
characteristic unaccompanied style offers flowing contrapuntal
lines while the shifting tonalities throughout effectively capture
both poignancy and joy.
for SATB and cello This simple setting of words by Tennyson
reflects a different side to McGlade's compositional style, without
sacrificing any of her trademark characteristics. The largely
homophonic vocal lines move as one, with clarity and poise in
abundance, creating a bed of sound over which the cello gently
glides.
The Sarah Quartel Songbook brings together a selection of the
composer's best-loved pieces for mixed voices, including favourites
such as Sing, my Child, Voice on the Wind, and Swept Away. This is
an invaluable resource both for choirs looking to explore the work
of this fine choral composer for the first time and for admirers of
Quartel's style hoping to find staple repertoire conveniently
gathered together in one volume.
for SSSAA unaccompanied. The opening of this motet displays
Massaino's skill in the art of word-painting with soaring lines
that play on the word 'arise' (Surge). Punctuated with occasional
homophonic writing, the beautiful melodic lines find clever use of
imitation across all voices. The secunda pars increases the quick
imitation of the vocal lines, mirroring the excitement of the text
'the time of pruning has come' (Tempus putationis advenit). This,
coupled with the introduction of shorter note values, creates a
joyful celebration of the text from the Song of Songs. Offprinted
from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.
for SSSA unaccompanied. Palestrina's setting of the Marian motet
Alma Redemptoris Mater seamlessly interweaves each of the four
independent voices based on the solemn tone of the corresponding
chant. Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.
for SSA unaccompanied Clemens composed two settings of the Marian
text Ego flos campi, one scored for mixed choir of seven voices and
this other, more intimate, setting for three voices. Here the
voices weave beautiful counterpoint with attractive independent
melodies.
for SSAA double choir unaccompanied. In this compelling motet for
the Feast of the Holy Trinity, Handl artfully embodies symbolism of
the Trinity within the motet's structure. The three verses
surrounded by a refrain of 'O beata Trinitas' may have been
deliberately chosen to represent the Trinity, as it is the only
example where Handl includes a true refrain. Offprinted from The
Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.
for SSA unaccompanied. This motet in two parts is devotional in
character, with each section opening with homophonic writing before
elaborating on close imitative polyphonic lines. The motet
demonstrates a mature writing style that would be expected of a
composer years beyond the age of the young Monteverdi. The text is
based on the first two stanzas of a prayer attributed to Pope
Gregory I that contemplates the Passion of Our Lord. Offprinted
from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.
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