|
|
Books > Music > Other types of music > Sacred & religious music
for SATB and organ Written for the 2018 BBC Advent broadcast sung
by the choir of St John's College, Cambridge, A Prayer to St John
the Baptist sets an artfully crafted text that combines Guido
d'Arezzo's Ut queant laxis (itself a Hymn to John the Baptist, as
well as a medieval music-teaching mnemonic) with Thomas Merton's
poem on the same subject. The organ's flowing quavers represent
Merton's baptismal 'rivers of water', while the largely octatonic
melodies conjure a tellingly mysterious atmosphere.
for SSA and piano or harp This anthem sets a powerful poem by John
Henry Newman that reflects on the spirituality of solitude. An
imaginative interplay between voices and instrumental accompaniment
is prevalent throughout, with effective contrasts between
tranquillo and animato sections and delicate ostinato patterns. An
alternative accompaniment for harp is available for purchase. The
anthem is also available in a version for SATB and guitar or piano.
for SATB and organ or orchestra This bright and exultant
arrangement of Michael Praetorius's melody 'Puer nobis nascitur' is
presented with two text options: 'O splendor of God's glory bright'
for general worship and 'That Easter day with joy was bright' for
use at Easter. Sparkling organ interludes, characterised by flutes
and piccolos in the orchestral accompaniment, punctuate the lilting
melody, which is given contrasting treatment in each of the verses,
from presentation in unison to rich four-part harmony.
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.
This is a complete edition with critical commentary of the
Byzantine Communions in thirteenth-century manuscripts of the
Asmatikon, all known sources being used. The chants concerned are
the earliest known examples of Communion Chants of the Orthodox
Church, and are found in a book which may go back to the rite of St
Sophia at Constantinople during the tenth century-the earliest
copies of which date from the thirteenth-century and come from
South Italy and North Greece. Further more, there are also a few
manuscripts from Kiev with text in Church Slavonic and an
untranscribable musical notation. This is the first systematic
transcription of the Asmatikon ever to be published.
for SATB (with divisions) unaccompanied With a text by the
composer, 'My Love has Died for Me' is taken from Passion Music, a
concert and liturgical work that epitomizes Todd's love of blending
jazz and choral music. Recurring melodies, changing metres, and
extended harmonies combine to explore the theme of loss in this
powerful and expressive lament.
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 unaccompanied A mystical, atmospheric carol for Epiphany,
The Wise Men and the Star sets a text by contemporary writer Lucia
Quinault that depicts the journey of the wise men as they follow
the star. Tarney's appealing musical language creates a sense of
expectancy, and there are beautiful moments of stillness and quiet
that enable the listener to reflect on the wonder of the events of
the season.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 This is a warm and contemplative setting of
the medieval Latin hymn, suitable for communion services or for
Lent, Passiontide, or Corpus Christi. Built around harmonic
sequences and an appealing opening phrase, and with a gently
romantic feel, Parry's setting offers a charming alternative to
more familiar settings of these words.
|
|