This atmospheric anthem by Cecilia McDowall commemorates the First World War. It sets a stark English text by Dr Joseph Spence alongside Latin text from Psalm 130 with the words 'In memoriam' added. The lower parts sing Spence's English text conveying the relentless hardship of life in the trenches with declamatory and constantly developing vocal lines. The sopranos meanwhile repeat the Latin words from Psalm 130 providing a striking contrast in their constancy and otherworldliness.

Composer Orlando Gibbons was the leading English composer of his time the late 16th and early 17th century. This five-Voice SSATB madrigal is the best known of his many madrigals and remains compellingly beautiful.The sheet music also includes A Catch on Tobacco by theologian philosopher and composer Dr Henry Aldrich. It dates from 1685 when the composer was Dean of Christ Church Oxford and widely known among his contemporaries as a convivial soul who among his writings created a Latin epigramme listing five reasons for drinking. The performance notes stipulate that the round is to be sung by four men while smoking their pipes.

For SSATB unaccompanied This five-voice work is an unusual and interesting piece of moderate difficulty and well worth investigation for any concert programme. Includes an English singing translation.