Herbert Howells

Par HOWELLS HERBERT. Herbert Howells ' A Spotless Rose is a carol for SATB a cappella. A Piano accompaniment is scored for rehearsal use./ Feuillet / SATB

This is the full score of Herbert Howells' 1950 composition Hymnus Paradisi for Soprano and Tenor Soli SATB chorus and orchestra. Now available for the first time in print this score has been prepared from the known sources revised and edited with critical commentary and includes a preface by Paul Spicer and introductory notes by Sir David Willcocks. Four of the choral movements (II-V) are settings of Latin and English texts. These are drawn from the Psalms and the 'Miss pro defunctis' the book of Common Prayer and are immemorial reflections upon the transient griefs and indestructible hopes of mankind. All are appropriate to the mood and purpose ofa Requiem. Movement VI is a setting of lines from the Salisbury Diurnal used here in the translation by Dr G. H. Palmer appearing at the end of Robert Bridges' Anthology The Spirit of Man. The first performance was at the Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester on 7th September 1950 which the composer conducted. The Bach Choir gave the first London performance early in 1951 and recorded the work in 1970 with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Sir David Willcocks.

Par HOWELLS HERBERT. Before me, careless lying is a fine example of the contrapuntal art of Herbert Howells (1892–1983), inspired by the work of the great English composers of the Renaissance period, those of the madrigal school in particular, but in its passionate sensibility essentially twentieth century. The composer wrote this partsong on Christmas Day 1918, and dedicated it to his friend the organist Dr R. R. Terry, Director of Music at Westminster Cathedral, and chairman of the Tudor Church Music committee. The words are by the poet and biographer Austin Dobson, whose Collected Poems was published in 1897. Perhaps as a token of the composer’s regard for Terry’s pioneering work infurthering the appreciation and understanding of sixteenth-century church music, Before me, careless lying was originally published with the alto and tenor parts notated in traditional clefs. It is here reissued with clefs in modern forms of treble and transposed treble respectively, and with a keyboard transcription of the vocal parts which is intended for use in rehearsal./ Feuillet / SATB

The House Of The Mind is the second part of a set of 3 Motets by Herbert Howells. God Is Gone Up(NOV950203) and King Of Glory (NOV952666) complete the trilogy which is written for SATB chorus and Organ. This motet was completed in 1954 with text based on a poem by Joseph Beaumont. Previously available only by Special Order.

Herbert Howells’ Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Collegium Regale) for SATB and Organ accompaniment is a vibrant sacred work with beautiful voicings and a wonderful effervescence. This is rich and colourful church music with integrity he has successfully brought together Tudor church music and merged it with modern harmony and counterpoint. It is this best-of-both-world’s feature that makes Howell’s version of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis a pleasing one and it is dedicated to King's College Cambridge.

Howells 'Te Deum Benedictus And Jubilate' for mixed voice choir SATB with Organ accompaniment. Edited by James Eggleston.

Hymnus Paradisi is composed for SATB chorus and orchestra with soprano and tenor soloists and is characterised by an extraordinary depth and power. The text includes lines from the traditional Latin Requiem along with lines from the Anglican burial service as well as the texts of Psalm 23 and Psalm 121. Because of the personal nature of the composition Hymnus Paradisi remained unperformed until 1950. This vocal score includes a piano reduction of the orchestral score.

Madrigal for SSATB poem by Robert Wever. Composed for Sir Frederick Bridge and members of the Madrigal Society. Piano part included for practice use.