SKU: OU.9780193380950
ISBN 9780193380950. 10 x 7 inches.
For soprano and baritone soloists, children's choir, adult choir, and orchestra or chamber ensemble The text is that of a standard Latin Missa brevis, to which several relevant English poetic texts have been added. The first and last of these are taken from Bishop Thomas Ken's renowned morning and evening hymns for the scholars of Winchester College. They give the whole work the framework of a complete day, from waking to sleeping, within which other texts and moods appear like events in that day or landmarks in a life. Vocal scores are available on sale or on hire from the publisher. Instrumental material is available on hire from the publisher.
SKU: HL.1122017
ISBN 9781705181744. UPC: 196288108986.
A Good Understanding (2005) was written for Tim Brown and the choir of Clare College, Cambridge with the generous cooperation of John Scott and the Boys of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue. A Good Understanding, with texts culled from two psalms, is designed to share a program with Rutter's expansive and expressive Mass of the Children. The piece unfolds episodically short choral phrases alternating with longer instrumental interludes. The first half of the text is typical psaltry praise-making: outlining agreements, explaining the rules; the music is, accordingly, severe but practical. The second half of the text begins, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom/a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.?I find the idea of a good understanding?to be an especially exciting reward for following the rules; the boys sing pulsed syllables and long descants to celebrate the covenant while the choir sings a lilting, repetitive refrain. (Psalm 111, 10). - Nico Muhly.
