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Books > Music > Musical scores, lyrics & libretti
for SATB and piano/orchestra Wilberg's arrangement of Robert
Lowry's text and melody is a beautifully reflective take on the
well-known hymn. Simple vocal lines are enhanced by a gently
flowing accompaniment, rich in suspensions and harmonic interest.
This part can be played on the piano, or by the unusual combination
of flutes, cors anglais, harp, and strings.
for SATB, trumpet, and organ/orchestra The second of two Rutter
anthems celebrating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, Give the
king thy judgments, O God is a ceremonial work that draws upon the
Book of Psalms alongside text written by the composer to create a
suitably festive piece. Although the prevailing mood is jubilant,
the closing pages provide a prayerful moment as Orlando Gibbon's
gentle hymn tune Song 1 is interpolated to great effect. This
anthem is featured on Rutter's highly-acclaimed CD The Gift of
Life. A trumpet in C part is included in the vocal score, and a B
flat trumpet part is available separately.
for SSATB unaccompanied Commissioned by Ralph Woodward and the
Fairhaven Singers in memory of Dora Kemp, one of the choir's
sopranos, God is Light sets lines from Psalm 139, 1 Thessalonians,
and 1 John. It moves from an unsettled tonality at the beginning,
through anguished false relations and wistful expressivity, to find
triumphant resolution in a blazing A major at the end. Like all of
McDowall's music, it is well crafted and singable. God is Light was
first performed on 12 November 2016 in Queens' College Chapel,
Cambridge, by the Fairheaven Singers and Perse Prep Senior Choir
(director Paul Harris), conducted by Ralph Woodward.
for SSAA unaccompanied A bright and breezy piece with a charming
text by Charles Bennett, A Tree of Song begins with a jaunty 7/8
figure which recurs throughout the piece, with a spirited melody
floating above. Alternation between passages of 4/4 and 7/8 gives a
lively offbeat feel, with the piece only taking on a darker tone in
a brief central section.
for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied This reflective carol
(setting a text by the composer) features an affecting recurring
melody, sumptuous harmonies, and long, expressive phrases. Though
it has moments of great intensity, the carol is primarily quietly
optimistic in mood, with the homophonic texture and changing metre
highlighting the heartfelt devotion of the text.
for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied First performed by the
Choir of St Luke's Episcopal Church, Evanston, Illinois, in 2016,
this powerful motet sets a reflective text by Augustine of Hippo.
Connoisseurs of Jackson's music will recognise the hallmarks of his
highly accessible style: inventive harmony that is largely diatonic
but never plain, and textures that encompass the blazingly sonorous
and the expressively intimate.
for SATB and organ or orchestra John Rutter's original setting of
this popular Easter hymn is resplendent and celebratory, with
frequent metre changes that give a fresh feel to these historic
words. Also available in Anthems for Choirs 4 and Ash Wednesday to
Easter for Choirs, with a version for SSA and organ available in
Anthems for Choirs 3. Orchestral scores and parts are available on
hire/rental: 2fl, 2ob, 2cl, 2bsn, 2hn, 2tpt, timp, perc, hp, str.
for SATB and piano four-hands or orchestra This short, energetic
piece sets words by contemporary hymn-writer Mary Louise Bringle.
The text is full of positivity and hope, and Wilberg's use of a 7/8
time signature keeps the verses propelling forward joyously, while
undulating quavers shape the refrains. Several key changes are
supported by a continuously rhythmic accompaniment in the form of
piano duet or large orchestra, and an instrumental interlude
precedes the third and final verse.
for SATB and organ Setting the George Herbert poem 'Whitsunday'
from the 1633 collection The Temple, this lilting, gentle anthem is
particularly useful for Whit Sunday services. Syncopations and
duplets provide rhythmic interest, with memorable melodies,
sumptuous harmonies, and contrasting textures making this a
rewarding anthem for performer and listener alike.
for soprano solo and SSATB unaccompanied Cecilia, Busy Like a Bee
is a reflective and reverential setting of a text adapted from the
Divine Office for St Cecilia's Day. The influence of plainchant is
particularly apparent in the soprano solo, and McDowall
intersperses effective imitative passages amidst homophonic writing
with rich harmonies.
for SATB unaccompanied (with divisions) Three Prayers, with a
Vision of Light sets early Christian texts by St Augustine of
Hippo, Baldwin of Forde, and St Mary Magdalene de Pazzi alongside
words by Estonian poet Doris Kareva. Each movement offers a change
of mood, from the reflective 'Conversi ad Dominum' to the more
urgent and pleading 'Aufer a me, Domine' and serene 'Veni, Sancte
Spiritus', with 'He who lives in light' offering an expressive and
contrasting central movement.
for SATB and organ Michael Finnissy's John the Baptist won the 2015
British Composer Award in the Liturgical Category. Commissioned by
St John's College, Cambridge, for Advent 2014, the piece recalls
the folk music of the Middle East, and alternates between
boisterous two-part homophony and slower, reflective polyphony.
for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied Commissioned by King's
College, Cambridge for the 2015 Festival of Nine Lessons and
Carols, The Flight sets a newly written poem by George Szirtes on
the subject of the flight to Bethlehem. The harmonies are rich and
ethereal, and a peaceful refrain implores 'May those who travel
Find shelter on the flight: May Bethlehem Give rest to them.'
for CBar, piano, and percussion This original composition sets the
composer's own text celebrating freedom of expression and the music
within each of us. Accompanied by hand-drum and piano, the piece is
an exciting and engaging sing filled with teachable moments and
opportunities for musical growth, with simple legato and two-part
passages, and vocal percussion.
for SATB (with divisions) and piano or orchestra This joyful,
sprightly carol has been offprinted, by popular request, from Sir
David Willcocks: A Celebration in Carols. With its uplifting 7/8
time signature, memorable melody, rich and diverse textures, and
delightful orchestral accompaniment, this carol is a fitting
tribute to one of the great names synonymous with Christmas: David
Willcocks.
for soprano solo, upper voices, SSATB, piano, and optional
percussion A Time for all Seasons is an evocative cantata that
explores the complexities of the human condition. The well-known To
every thing there is a season text from Ecclesiastes is interwoven
with a modern-day reworking of the verses by award-winning poet
Kevin Crossley-Holland. McDowall's impressive range of musical
styles, effective antiphonal writing, and artful juxtaposition of
textures work together to create a meaningful experience for the
listener. The work's scoring contributes to the narrative, with
sections for solo soprano or full choir contrasting with prescient
interjections from the uppervoice choir. The part for upper voices
may also be sung by a children's choir, and there is an optional
part for percussion.
for SATB and organ or orchestra Mack Wilberg's arrangement of 'Old
Hundredth', paired with William Kethe's popular hymn of exaltation,
builds from a simple opening to a rich-textured, rousing
conclusion, with a soaring soprano descant for the last verse. An
alternative ending is included, providing the option of finishing
the piece more softly if preferred. An orchestral accompaniment is
available on hire/rental.
The Yeomen of the Guard is one of the most popular and enduring
Gilbert and Sullivan Savoy operas. This critical performing
edition, edited by Colin Jagger, Director of Music, University of
Portsmouth, presents the opera as it was performed during the
original Savoy Theatre run. It corrects errors found in older
editions (regarding music, dialogue, and stage directions) and
includes unpublished songs and alternative endings. Full scores and
clearly printed orchestral parts are available on hire/rental, and
vocal scores are available on sale.
for SATB and piano Written in memory of John Scott, the celebrated
organist and choirmaster, who died in 2015, The Real of Heart is a
beautifully tender and reflective piece. The anonymous text reminds
us to remember things in their best form, 'untarnished and
supreme', and Chilcott's music is the perfect match. Arc-shaped
melodies and a variety of choral textures are complemented by
gently flowing arpeggio figures in the piano, with a central
triplet section providing contrast.
Selected and arranged by the author, and featuring a foreword by
revered record producer Glyn Johns, The Weakness In Me presents the
lyrics of Joan Armatrading for the first time in one unique volume.
Since the release of her debut album Whatever's For Us in 1972,
Joan Armatrading has, across a fifty-year career, traversed styles
and genres to create a monumental body of work. Acknowledged as the
first British female singer-songwriter to gain international
success, her writing is alive with intelligence and empathy and
paints the human experience with insight and emotion. Selected and
arranged by the author, and featuring a foreword by revered record
producer Glyn Johns, The Weakness In Me presents the lyrics of
Armatrading for the first time in one unique volume. It also
contains an introduction by Armatrading alongside annotations to a
number of songs, giving a rare, personal glimpse into the creative
process of a true pioneer. 'A genuinely groundbreaking artist.'
Guardian 'Up there with the best of her generation.' Financial
Times 'One of the finest singer-songwriters of her generation: a
woman of fierce intelligence and self-effacing wit who never
stopped reading your mind or keeping you guessing.' Pitchfork 'What
distinguishes her work is the unique authenticity of each of her
songs.' New York Times 'Joan Armatrading has always been a
pioneer.' Rolling Stone
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