SKU: MN.56-0042

UPC: 688670220470. English.

Commissioned by The Voices Foundation in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the ending of World War II, this most somber and dramatic piece uses texts from David Geraint Jones and William Shakespeare to chronicle the recollections and reflections of a soldier, which are not for the faint of heart. Thinking back on a more carefree past, the “speaker” assures his love that the future will again hold quiet and wonder. However, the price to be paid in between the past and the future is in blood and death. The soldier predicts poppies swaying over him as he lies freed of pain, yes, but also of passion. And he concludes, “Your peace is bought with mine, if but the echo of your laughter reaches me in hell.”.

SKU: MN.50-6132

UPC: 688670561320. English. Psalms 150.

This setting of Psalm 150 was the winner of the 2019 Fyfe Prize sponsored by the Sewanee Church Music Conference. Big and joyful with a rollicking organ accompaniment, the music bounces motives back and forth energetically, between the sections of the choir and between the choir and the organ. A wonderful piece for a festival or celebration. Duration: 3:45.

SKU: MN.56-0048

UPC: 688670220517. English.

SKU: MN.80-330

UPC: 688670803307. English.

Scored for unaccompanied SATB choir with tenor soloist, the text is appointed in the Book of Common Prayer to take place during the footwashing. The piece is useful at any Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday service. Brief sections of chordal chanting on text give this a liturgical and formal feel. The choral writing surrounding the chant is sonorous and beautiful. Duration: 2:30.

SKU: MN.56-0074

UPC: 688670220777. Latin.

This mass setting was commissioned by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and first performed on Ascension Sunday, 1994. Suitable for both church and concert use, the music is both lyrical and dramatic. The mood of the text is faithfully represented in the setting, yet with a lot of originality. The setting is sometimes declamatory, sometimes mysterious, with a “Crucifixus” which is hushed and reverent. Material from the “Kyrie” returns at “Et resurrexit.” Sections of this movement are in eight parts. Duration 7:16.

SKU: MN.56-0076

UPC: 688670220791. Latin.

This mass setting was commissioned by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and first performed on Ascension Sunday, 1994. Suitable for both church and concert use, the music is both lyrical and dramatic. The “Benedictus” is for SATB divisi and begins with a short 6/8 declamation, then moves into a section where the rhythmic idea is set in a sort of off-the-beat fashion, with all parts divisi playing against each other. A unison section with the off-the-beat motif follows. A majestic “Hosanna” follows. The “Agnus Dei” is set in a rubato triple meter in a homophonic style with close chords (also divisi.) At the “miserere,” the choir 1/choir 2 call and response motif from the “Gloria” returns. That same motif continues into the “dona nobis pacem,” as the movement (and the entire Mass) ends with a long decrescendo into a quiet call, “Pacem.” Duration 7:33.

SKU: MN.56-0039

UPC: 688670220449. Latin.

St. Ignatius of Loyola’s powerful prayer of surrender, set here in Latin, begins, “Receive, O Lord, all my liberty. Take my memory, understanding, and entire will.” Set for SATB and piano, the music is powerful and assured. The piano punctuates with chords, now calm, now dramatic, and is occasionally silent altogether. First performed in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, in November of 2009 by the musicians of St. Aloysius’ College, Glasgow.

SKU: BP.BP2316

6.88 x 10.5 inches.

Molly Ijames' arrangement of this newly written Christmas hymn frames the nativity story in a haunting narrative about the darkness of waiting and the coming of Christ's light. Each stanza explores different aspects and metaphors of the darkness/light themes, vividly brought to life by the musical text-painting of the setting. For SATB chorus and piano, with optional string orchestra and percussion.

SKU: MN.56-0055

UPC: 688670220586. English.

Arranged for SATB choir, two keyboards, strings, and optional harp, with soprano, tenor (optional) and baritone soloists, this fresh and unorthodox interpretation reflects on the words of the Latin Mass by juxtaposing them with poems in English. For soprano solo and SATB choir, this movement begins with the choir on the English text by Phineas Fletcher (1633). A 32-measure soprano solo follows, which covers the majority of the English text. The soloist then begins the “Recordare,” a calm, descending melodic line with the choir singing the opening “Drop, drop” motif as accompaniment. The choir then concludes with the slow, descending lines “Jesu pie, Jesu pie.” Duration 4:04.

SKU: XC.HRMG2144

UPC: 785147106951.

This stunning a cappella work is carefully crafted to bring it well within reach for many choirs. A wonderfully lush and sonorous tonal palette is sprinkled with moments of prepared dissonance and close harmonies. The middle section quotes the Requiem chant tune. A perfect contrasting pairing with Trotta’s rhythmic and popular Dies Irae..

SKU: MN.50-0168

UPC: 688670501685. English.

A lovely setting of a poem centered on the transition to the afterlife. A great, accessible work for a memorial service for many choirs.

SKU: MN.50-7715

UPC: 688670577154. English.

SKU: AU.9798889830542

ISBN 9798889830542.

A gently contoured melody uplifts the poetry of Susan Palo Cherwien in this graceful anthem by Zebulon Highben. The text can be found in Peace, Be Still: Hymns of Susan Palo Cherwien, Volume 3 and highlights the need for unified voices singing the story of God the Creator and our need for renewal and peace. The music is largely 2-part mixed with an expressive SATB a cappella third stanza. A lovely addition to your choral season and useful throughout the year.