SKU: ST.CN27P

ISBN 9790220225512.

The words of Peaceful was the Night are taken from John Milton's ode On the Morning of Christ's Nativity, written in 1629. Milton describes the universe halting in utter stillness at the moment of Christ's appearing on the earth. (As the poet wrote: 'His reign of peace upon the Earth began.') In James McCarthy's carol, the voices play a dual role, as narrator, and by evoking the atmosphere of a singular moment of frozen time. Although commissioned by Sonoro for performance during the Christmas period, this singable, lyrical setting would fit well into a programme of music suitable for any time of the year.

SKU: BP.BP122

James Weldon Johnson.

Winner of Honorable Mention in the 2020 King's Singers New Music Prize, Marianne Forman's sparkling music sets James Weldon Johnson's text about singing through adversity: ...and if the way grows darker still, shadowed by Sorrow's somber wing, with glad defiance in my throat, I pierce the darkness with a note, and sing..., ...no nights are dark, no days are long, while in my heart there swells a song, and I can sing. Deeply encouraging, and suitable for a variety of performance situations, especially as choirs work through the events of 2020. Also available for SATB.

SKU: HL.48022722

ISBN 9780851628257. 7.25x10.0x0.091 inches.

A setting of a nativity poem from Her Maker's Maker by Michael Symmons Roberts, New-made for a king was commissioned by Andreas Klatt for Farnham Youth Choir. Scored mainly in four parts, the choral texture is homophonic, the harmony rich yet approachable by young performers, with a decorative piano accompaniment. In the mould of a lullaby, the piece's over-riding calm is troubled towards the close by indistinct pp lontano interjections from the piano, in response to the poem's portentous closing words.