for SSAA and piano Originally the second movement of Chilcott's choral work Five Days that Changed the World, this poignant setting of words by Charles Bennett reflects on one of the most significant events of our time. The upper-voice choral parts are melodic and interweaving, and the flowing piano part provides harmonic support for the voices throughout.

This book is the first-ever study of Malta's major eighteenth-century composer, Benigno Zerafa (1726 - 1804), a specialist in sacred music composition. This book is the first-ever study of Malta's major eighteenth-century composer, Benigno Zerafa (1726-1804), a specialist in sacred music composition. Zerafa's large-scale and small-scale vocal and choral works, mostly written during his long service as musical director at the Cathedral of Mdina, have been winning increased recognition in recent years. In addition to describing and analysing this extensive corpus, the book gives an account of Zerafa's sometimes eventful career against the wider background of the rich musical and cultural life in Malta, especial attention being paid to its strong links with Italy, and particularly Naples, where Zerafa was a student for six years. Itexamines in detail the complex relationship of music to Catholic liturgy and investigates the distinctive characteristics of the musical style, intermediate between baroque and classical, in which Zerafa was trained and always composed: one that today is commonly labelled "galant". Well stocked with music examples, the book makes copious reference to Italian and Maltese composers from Zerafa's time and to modern analytical studies of Italian music from the middle decades of the eighteenth century, thereby offering a useful general commentary on the galant period. Its central aim, however, is to stimulate further interest in, and revival of, Zerafa's music. To this end the book contains a complete work-list with supplementary indexes. Scholars and students of eighteenth-century music, in particular sacred music, the galant style and Italian music, will find it invaluable. FREDERICK AQUILINAis Senior Lecturer in Music Studies at the University of Malta.

for SATB (with divisions), oboe, and organ The text combines the nineteenth-century poet and Christian minister George MacDonald's emotive poem Lost and Found with the 'In paradisum' antiphon from the Burial Service in the Liber Usualis. The music is at times ethereal, melancholic, poignant, and life-affirming. The solo oboe and organ writing is integral to the emotive character of the piece, and the word-painting and angelic chorus moments encourage the listener to reflect on the subject at hand. The Quest is featured on the Collegium Records CD The Gift of Life. An orchestration for chamber ensemble (solo oboe, harp, and strings) is available on hire/rental.

for SATB with piano accompaniment and unaccompanied Mo li hua (Jasmine) is a tri-language publication suitable for Chinese- or English-speaking choirs. A collection of arrangements of five well-known traditional Chinese songs depicting the simplicity and beauty of everyday life, it includes simplified and traditional Chinese scripts, as well as English singing translations. A Pinyin version of the Chinese - for non-Chinese reading choirs - will be available from the OUP website.The songs-drawn from across China-are arranged sympathetically and in Chilcott's original style, suggesting a musical fusion of East and West. The song 'Mo li hua' was written for The Bach Choir and David Hill, who gave its premiere while on tour in China in April 2014.

for SATB double choir, children's choir, and piano Setting a text by Charles Bennett, The White Field presents a dreamlike scene in which blackbirds plant songs in the cold earth and await the growth of their music. Chilcott's melodies echo through the voices, before a climactic tutti central section giving full voice to the idea of renewal and hope in the depth of winter. A wistful coda completes the reverie as the blackbirds settle to await the return of the sun. The piano part provides harmonic support and rhythmic energy to the voice parts with chordal and semiquaver figurations throughout the work. The White Field was commissioned by the Barbican Centre for London Symphony Chorus and BBC Symphony Chorus for Sound Unbound, November 2015.

for SATTBB unaccompanied Thou, my love, art fair was written for The King's Singers and first performed by the group on St Valentine's Day 2015. Setting the William Baldwin poem, Christ to his spouse, this delightful song makes full and effective use of the voice parts and features charming harmonies and interweaving melismas. Chilcott has treated the sixteenth-century text with due care and style, creating a beautifully elegant piece of music.

for SATB and organ or small orchestra In this setting of haunting simplicity, Rutter employs rich orchestral colours and a beautiful, imploring melody. The composer has taken the opportunity of this anniversary edition to recast the original accompaniment for organ, to facilitate performance in church. Conductor's scores and instrumental parts are available on sale and 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 unaccompanied Setting a well-known poem by Percy Shelley, Love's Philosophy is a sweet and tender choral song reflecting on the idea of love with reference to nature and the interdependent relationships evident in the world around us. Mellifluous choral writing and sighing 'ah' interjections convey the sometimes wistful feel of Shelley's words, and numerous repetitions of 'thou' at the end of the piece emphasize the theme of unrequited or lost love.

for SATB and chamber ensemble Inspired by Geertgen's painting Nativity at Night, Candlelight Carol centres around the love of a mother on that first night in the stable. The orchestral material is compatible with both the SATBB and SSAA versions.

for SATB, percussion, and cello A work on the subject of pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela, To the Field of Stars features a variety of texts on the nature of travel and worship. Underpinned by evocative cello and percussion lines, Jackson's strong choral writing offers fragments of spoken lines and unexpected melodic twists, while a refrain recurs in a new musical guise after each movement. The piece reaches its climax in the sixth movement when quiet, freely repeated choral notes ring out against cello and crotales, creating a musical 'field of stars'. Mysterious and beautiful, this piece offers an immensely rewarding challenge for choirs. Percussion and cello parts are available on hire/rental.

for children's choir, SATB chamber choir, and SATB double choir This monumental cantata for massed forces was commissioned by David Hill and The Bach Choir and premiered as part of the 2012 BBC Proms. Setting a specially commissioned text by Charles Bennett, Chilcott skilfully uses both metred and unmetered sung and spoken lines to highlight the text's environmental message. While the musically interlinked choirs sing of humanity's negligence towards nature in a series of dream images, the endearing and innocent tunes of the children's choir ultimately evoke a sense of hope for the future. Creating a unique opportunity for adult and children's choirs to collaborate, this captivating piece offers a fun and educational performance experience for singers both young and old.

for SATB and chamber ensemble Inspired by Geertgen's painting Nativity at Night, Candlelight Carol centres around the love of a mother on that first night in the stable. The orchestral material is compatible with both the SATBB and SSAA versions.

for soprano solo and SSATB unaccompanied Setting a text spoken by Nurse Edith Cavell on the eve of her execution in 1915 and re-fashioned by the poet SeA!n Street, McDowall has created a work of haunting beauty full of gently lamenting harmonies.The sombre subject matter makes the piece equally suitable for funerals and Remembrance Day celebrations. Standing as I do before God is featured on the CD A Multitude of Voices by the choir Sospiri on Convivium Records.

for SATB (with divisions) and soprano saxophone Setting the original Latin text of the hymn better known as 'Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding', Jackson creates an Advent piece of beautiful stillness. The largely homophonic choral parts, with a soloist supplying a gentle contrapuntal line, are contrasted with light and graceful interjections from the saxophone. The result is a quietly moving piece ideally suited for a reflective moment during an Advent service.

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 SSATB and cello Night Flight was written to mark the centenary of Harriet Quimby's pioneering flight across the English channel. Setting texts by Sheila Bryer on the mysterious powers of the sea, earth, and air, McDowall uses vocal clusters and haunting solo cello lines to highlight the sense of fear, awe, and majesty experienced by an individual pitted against the elements. Cecilia McDowall was awarded the 2014 British Composer Award in the Choral category for Night Flight. The solo cello part is available for sale separately.

Union and Distinction in the Thought of St Maximus the Confessor presents the writings of a key figure in Byzantine theology in the light of the themes of unity and diversity. The principle of simultaneous union and distinction forms the core of Maximus' thought, pervading every area of his theology. It can be summarized as: Things united remain distinct and without confusion in an inseparable union. As Melchisedec T r nen shows, this master theme also resonates in contemporary theological and philosophical discussions.