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Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Other types of music
for SATB unaccompanied Originally published in Sun, Moon, Sea, and
Stars, 'Deep in the night' sets a poem by Sara Teasdale that likens
a heart seeking its love to a swallow's cry. Chydenius's rich
harmonies, syncopated melodies, and modal inflections paint an
image of the starry night, while the underpinning bass ostinato
provides rhythmic drive.
for SATB and piano or organ or orchestra This sprightly setting of
a sixteenth-century English text tells the tale of a jolly shepherd
named Wat. With an upbeat triple metre and a joyful swing feel,
this carol has imaginative, contrasting textures, a memorable
refrain, and a rousing finish. Two versions of the vocal score are
available: one with piano accompaniment and one with organ
accompaniment. Full scores and parts are available for purchase or
hire.
for SATB and piano or harp Higgins's arrangement of Away in a
manger is beautiful and delicate. The first verse is taken by
unison upper voices; the second is a cappella, with a soloist (or
small group) on the melody accompanied by sustained 'ooh's; and the
last verse features fresh, homophonic harmonies. The piano/harp
accompaniment twinkles gently around the voices, contributing
towards the magical character of the arrangement.
After decades of prohibition, Mevlana ceremonies of whirling dervishes attract renewed interest as forms of sacral music, both in formal and popular genres. This trend runs parallel to an increasing concern for cultural, ethnic and religious identities, where the rising tide of religious revivalism sets the tone.
for SATB (with S. solo) unaccompanied This thought-provoking carol
takes up the topical theme of the plight of refugees, drawing
parallels with the stories and reception of Christ's birth. The
text, by the composer, alludes to familiar lines from the Coventry
Carol, rooting the piece in tradition while encouraging us to
consider our present. The verses feature contrasting textures and
changing metres, while a soft, reflective refrain stands
steadfastly in triple metre.
for SS and organ This movement from Make We Merry sets the words of
the seventeenth-century Christmas text 'Sweet was the song' to a
straightforward and lyrical solo line in the first soprano part,
with an imitative second soprano part joining towards the end. The
organ accompaniment gently underpins the tender vocal lines
throughout.
for SSA and piano Originally published as part of the Songbird
collection As you sing, this is a beautiful and modern setting of a
traditional text, popularised by Orlando Gibbons' well-known
madrigal 'The silver swan'. Tarney draws upon the themes of nature,
love, life, and loss to create melodies that are yearning and
flowing, and supports the voices with a graceful and delicate piano
accompaniment.
for SA and piano Originally published as part of the Songbird
collection As you sing, this is a thrilling and high-energy piece
setting a text by Jennifer Thorp. Young uses body-percussion, sound
effects, repeating themes, and strong rhythms to capture the
characteristics of a river, creating a fun and dynamic piece
suitable for upper-voice adult and youth choirs.
for SATB and piano or organ or orchestra This sprightly setting of
a sixteenth-century English text tells the tale of a jolly shepherd
named Wat. With an upbeat triple metre and a joyful swing feel,
this carol has imaginative, contrasting textures, a memorable
refrain, and a rousing finish. Two versions of the vocal score are
available: one with piano accompaniment and one with organ
accompaniment. Full scores and parts are available for purchase or
hire.
for SATB unaccompanied Alan Bullard's simple, uplifting setting of
words by eighteenth-century writer and Calvinist minister Joseph
Hart is perfectly suited to the Every Voice Rejoice series. The
anthem is characterized by flexible rhythms that sensitively
complement the metre of the text and a beautifully reflective set
of Amens at its close.
for SATB and piano Tarney's setting of this traditional Scottish
text offers catchy melodies and folk-inspired harmonies, driven by
a rhythmic piano accompaniment. The ballad is framed by a
repeating, haunting, and ethereal a cappella phrase that hints at
the unearthly nature of the subject. Also available for cambiata
voices in the Emerging Voices series.
for SSAA and hand drum Sing, my Child sets a joyful text
celebrating the beauty found all around us in everyday life.
Characterized by tight harmonies and a dynamic percussion line, the
buoyant 7/8 metre of the opening drives the piece forward. Lush
harmonies colour the hymn-like B section as the text evolves into a
call for strength despite the troubles that may come. Also
available in a version for SATB and hand drum.
for SSAATTBB unaccompanied When spring comes walking is a warm and
optimistic setting of an evocative poem by Charles Bennett that
explores themes of rebirth, nature, and celebration. Chilcott
embraces the return of spring with gentle sustained melodies, rich
harmonies, and a quote from the traditional carol 'O come, O come,
Emmanuel'. This piece is suitable for both advent and Easter.
for SATB and piano or orchestra Male voices take the leading role
in this mixed-voice arrangement of the tender and well-loved solo
piece attributed to Caccini (and usually sung to 'Ave Maria'). In
keeping with the cumulative embellishment of the original,
Wilberg's version starts with unison men and gradually adds more
parts, always grounded by the lower voices. Similarly, the
accompaniment's texture thickens as the piece develops, with the
instrumental version starting with strings only, building up to a
full orchestral climax before a gentler coda.
for SSAA unaccompanied or with optional handbells (or percussion,
or organ) Sarah Quartel brings a fresh take on a familiar
fifteenth-century text in this carol for upper voices. The dialogue
between Mary and the infant Jesus is woven to a beguiling folk-like
melody, in 6/8 metre, through each of the voice parts, with each
verse ending in the lilting refrain 'Lully, by by, lullay'. The
carol may be sung unaccompanied, though for added sparkle there is
an optional part for handbells (or percussion or organ).
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