Setting Century

Arranged for SSSAAATTTBBB the lyrics are from an anonymous writer of the fourteenth century and have been adapted by the composer.The composer says: 'Woefully arrayed is a supreme choral setting by William Cornysh Junior who died in 1523 of a text usually regarded as of anonymous composition though there have been some attributions to John Skelton. It is a thoughtful powerful meditation on Christ on the Cross and though Cornysh’s setting has remarkable intensity and contrapuntal artistry I felt a strong wish to add my own response to this fine text. The different versions of it have different verses that used by Cornysh has three verses (plus therefrain) while there are others with four or even five (one attributed to Skelton has five). I have chosen to restrict myself to the three used by Cornysh using my own adaptation of the modernised words which yet incorporates some archaisms a deliberate choice for reasons of rhythm and verbal sound. This setting was commissioned by the Three Choirs Festival 2009 for Stile Antico to whom it is dedicated.''Difficult to perform but not difficult to listen to this 2009 Three Choirs Festival commission was first performed by Stile Antico who have since toured it. It is a heartfelt response to the fourteenth-century text passionate and anguished Christ is on the cross ‘woefully arrayed’. Although written for a secular choir it is a piece that could be sung by many cathedral and collegiate choirs: there is considerable doubling between the sixteen lines and a keyboard reduction to help the initial sorting out. Above all it is dramatic and would communicate directly to audiences if given a chance to hear it.'       - James L Montgomer RSCM review

The Four Hymns are in similar vein to the Five Mystical Songs (1911) although on a smaller and more intimate scale. Together with the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis these form a succession of works displaying a strong mystical, meditative content.The first of the hymns, 'Lord! come away!', employs vigorous Purcellian recitative in a setting of a Palm Sunday text from Bishop Jeremy Taylor's Golden Grove (17th century). 'Who is this fair one?' (Isaac Watts, 1674-1748) is a dialogue for the tenor and viola about divine love. As described by Christopher Palmer, 'Come Love, come Lord' (Richard Crashaw, c1613-49) 'breathes that spirit of mystical remoteness later to inform A Pastoral Symphony?. The final 'Evening Hymn' is a radiant setting of a translation from pre-4th century Greek by Robert Bridges, notable for its contrapuntal expertise over a bell-like basso ostinato.Four Hymns is also available in the version for tenor, viola and piano (979-0-060-02852-6), and the score (978-0-85162-908-7) serves as the vocal score for use with the orchestral version. However, the solo viola part of the orchestral version is incompatible with that for the piano version.Suitable for advanced standard performers. / Conducteur De Poche

Andrew Cusworth's Adam Lay Ibounden is a work for Unaccompanied SAB Choir a setting of an anonymous 15th century English text. A performance lasts around 1 and a half minutes. This short setting of a well-known text is only 34 bars long but is nevertheless an attractive piece for choirs of sopranos altos and baritones. Each voice is allocated the tune which provides an effective setting appropriate to sing after the traditional first lesson at a service of Nine Lessons and Carols. - Sunday by Sunday

Meditation on 'O come O come Immanuel'-The Advent hymn we all know today as O Come O Come Immanuel was arranged in its modern form by Thomas Helmore and published in Hymnal Noted in 1856. Both the words and melody however predate this version by centuries. The words are based on a 9th century antiphon and the tune Veni Immanuel is taken from a 15th century processional of French Franciscan nuns part of the setting for the funeral hymn Libera Me. This arrangement aims to expand on the power and mystery of the original tune and will be most effective if the solo cornet at the start and end of the piece can be placed away from the band maybe at the back of the auditorium.

Text: Anonymous 15th Century-This carol written for the choir Canticum is an upbeat setting of a rarely-used 15th-century English text and would be an exciting new addition to any mixed-voice choir’s Christmas repertoire. A ‘sung-whisper’ repeating phrase in the basses through most of the carol adds an air of mystery and momentum as the text which uses some early English language describes the coming of Jesus.

Thomas Cousins is best known for festival anthem GLORIOUS EVERLASTING which was performed by churches and schools constantly in the 2nd half of the 20th century. This setting of Psalm 47 is from the same parent and is similar in energy drive andvitality. The parallel chords in rapid succession and the rhythmic determination are infectious. Cousins typified a compositional style that celebrated the wonderful choral traditions that powered through our country in the late 20th century. Highschool choirs colleges and community choirs will enjoy this piece as will larger church choirs. Medium difficulty.

Christmas Carol-Lullay my liking was commissioned by BBC Music Magazine for the publication’s December 2014 issue. The brief was to compose a carol with simplicity of form and this Middle English 15th century carol text lent itself to an expressive yet succinct setting.  The score is influenced by the revival in Christmas carols at the beginning of the 20th century that led many writers to compose in a quasi-medieval style exemplified by G R Woodward’s Ding Dong Merrily on High.

Johann Jacob Froberger (1617 67) enjoyed an outstanding reputation during his lifetime as his compositional style represented a synthesis of Italian French and English influences. There is now a growing awareness that Froberger?s significance for Keyboard music of the 17th century is comparable only with that of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.Each volume contains a critical commentary as well as a detailed foreword with sections on the scope and structure of the new edition the editorial method and performance practice. Information on contemporary instruments ornamentation and Froberger?s biography is also included.Both volumes VI.1 andVI.2 contain music from anonymous copies of the 17th century undoubtedly made from autograph manuscripts which were returned to the Singakademie in Berlin from Kiev in 2001. They also include further new discoveries of manuscripts and compositions.The New Edition of the Complete Works will comprise a total of eleven volumes.- Urtext scholarly-critical edition setting new standards.- Reflects the current state of research.- Music from the newly-discovered ?Kiev sources?.- Detailed explanatory notes (Ger/Eng).

Meditation on 'O come O come Immanuel'-The Advent hymn we all know today as O Come O Come Immanuel was arranged in its modern form by Thomas Helmore and published in Hymnal Noted in 1856. Both the words and melody however predate this version by centuries. The words are based on a 9th century antiphon and the tune Veni Immanuel is taken from a 15th century processional of French Franciscan nuns part of the setting for the funeral hymn Libera Me. This arrangement aims to expand on the power and mystery of the original tune and will be most effective if the solo Cornet at the start and end of the piece can be placed away from the band maybe at the back of the auditorium.

Neue Ausgabe sämtlicher Werke 5 2-At the cutting edge of scholarship.Detailed explanatory notes.Johann Jacob Froberger who lived from 1617 to 1667 developed a style of composition representing a synthesis of Italian French and English influences thereby setting new standards at that time. Only Jan Peterszoon Sweelinck can match Froberger in terms of significance for 17th century keyboard music.The text to each volume of the complete edition of Froberger?s Organ and Keyboard music is published in German and English comprising a critical commentary as well as a detailed foreword explaining the scope and subdivision of the edition and the editorial techniques.Also information on performance practice on instruments of the time and on ornamentation is included as well as details on Froberger?s biography.Volume V.2 like the previously published volume V.1 contains the musical text from an anonymous 17th century copy which was returned to the Berlin Singakademie from Kiev in 2001. It is divided into works of definitive authenticity new readings and two appendices containing works of doubtful authenticity and spurious arrangements.

Thanatopsis op. 4 for female voice and pian. It is a great pleasure to present, with Thanatopsis, maestro Kissin?s opus 4, an expressive setting of the ground-breaking poem from the quill of William Cullen Bryant. Published in in the form known today in 1821, it is an early example of American romantic poetry of the 19th century. Bryant is today reckoned among the group of ?Fireside Poets? or ?Schoolroom Poets?, names that allude to the places where their poems were usually recited. His poems ? first and foremost Thanatopsis (?A Consideration of Death?) as his most famous ? are rooted in the English tradition, but at the same time show Bryant?s openness to a genuine American language and lifeworld. Evgeny Kissin?s setting is a large vocal scene intensely informed by recitative, which congenially allows the prevailing mood of the text to resound. Our edition additionally includes German and French translations of the poem and an informative afterword about Bryant?s life and work and the genesis of Thanatopsis.

O Guiding Night is a colourful and evocative setting of the text 'The Dark Night' by 16th-century Spanish mystic/poet St John of the Cross. Williams's setting really gets to the heart of the words conveying a range of emotions from hushed excitement to joyous rapture.Sumptuous harmonies and a strong sense of narrative are combined with charming piano interludes in an almost rhapsodic work which would stand out in any concert.

Par WHITBOURN JAMES. This glorious collection of beautiful choral music by composer James Whitbourn includes fifteen short works drawn from his oeuvre from the first few years of the 21st century. Many of his greatest compositions are included in The Choral Collection, with many of the pieces working perfectly for seasonal performances, while also reflecting the many fruitful collaborations of Whitbourn's distinguished career. All works are arranged for SATB Choir. James Whitbourn has become renowned throughout the world for his acclaimed compositions and settings of numerous texts. He has been described as truly original and an innovator of contemporary British choral music, collaborating with people like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. The former appears here, as A Prayer Of Desmond Tutu, a setting of one of the Archbishop's prayers. His arrangements and compositions for the King's College Choir have been universally critically acclaimed, with A Great And Mighty Wonder, Nunc Dimittis and Were You There? representing these hugely popular collaborations. Whitbourn has also had a very close relationship with the BBC since his beginnings as a composer, working with them on three pieces within The Choral Collection. Eternal Rest and Give Us The Wings Of Faith were both composed specifically for television broadcast, the former (in its orchestral form) was played for the funeral of the Queen Mother in 2002. His longest work, for which he is most famous, is a setting of text from'the Diary of Anne Frank'. There Is No Speech Or Language comes from this work, taking its text from other sources, but that still maintain the beauty and tragedy of the wider piece. The Choral Collection of fifteen compositions by James Whitbourn is full of beautiful, haunting, uplifting and inspiring melodies for SATB Choir and Organ Accompaniment from one of the most treasured British choral composers. The brilliant choice of texts throughout is matched only by the sheer compositional skill of Whitbourn in evoking the emotions of the words in the musical form. Also included are suggestions for seasonal song use, a list of recordings, and fascinating song notes written by Whitbourn himself. The joy of choral singing is nowhere more evident than in a work by James Whitbourn, and performances of any piece within this collection is sure to be remembered for a long time to come./ Recueil / Choeur Mixte (SATB) et Orgue