SKU: BR.ED-10296

ISBN 9790220101977. 7.5 x 11 inches.

The Ode was admirably set by Mr. Henry Purcell, and performed twice with universal applause.
(The Gentlemen's Journal, 1692)

The popularity of Purcell's setting is apparent from the many sources that survive and from the printed extracts which appeared almost immediately after its first performance. The primary source for this edition is the largely autograph manuscript in the Bodleian Library. Rather to reduce the orthography to a norm, the capitalization of the vocal text favours Purcell's preferences.
(Christopher Hogwood) Vokalensemble Stuttgart und den Kammerchor des Kopernikus-Gymnasiums Wasseralfingen. Fur diese beiden ganz unterschiedlichen Chorformationen hat Martin Smolka 2012 auch gezielt seine Partitur angelegt. Biografisch ist das Agnus Dei eine Art kleines Requiem fur seinen kurz zuvor verstorbenen Vater. Das liturgische Agnus Dei rahmt den deutschen Text Eh das Madchen entschlief ... der bei Auffuhrungen in anderen Landern durch eine Ubersetzung ersetzt werden soll.

Der SWR-Redakteur Hans-Peter Jahn schreibt dazu im Programmheft: Die fur Smolka typischen minimalistischen Taktzellen schaffen eine archaische Sinnlichkeit. Eine einfache und zugleich streng gebaute Vokalmusik mit Tiefenwirkung.

Nach der Urauffuhrung war die Esslinger Zeitung hellauf begeistert: Smolka ist ein Meister der Stimmbehandlung und der chorischen Klanggestaltung. Im Zentrum des Stucks gerat die Musik zum Stillstand: im leisen gleichmassigen Summen uber dem plotzlich fortissimo ein tschechisches Kinderlied erklingt eines das der Vater seinen Kindern haufig vorgesungen hat. Das alles war sehr beruhrend. Und eigentlich noch mehr als das. My father PhDr. Jaroslav Smolka (1933-2011) was a leading Czech musicologist author of books Czech Cantata and Oratorium Fuga in Czech Music Smetana's Orchestra Music Smetana's Vocal Music monography of Jan Dismas Zelenka and many others. He was a legendary teacher of Music History at Prague Music Academy critic recording producer composer; for almost 50 years he was an important and highly respected personality of Prague musical life.
My father devoted a lot of time and energy to musical education and activities of my sister and me using often quite original methods such as teaching of intervals and counterpoint through Bartok's Microcosmos ear training filling all imaginable moments of everyday life or lessons of harmony analysis starting with Overture to Tristan and Musorgsky's Catacombs. The Martinu song Wondering Maiden was his solo number in our home vocal productions which he used to sing with amazing devotion while his huge voice was audible in several neighboring streets.
My Agnus Dei is closely bound to all this history e.g. by using canon and preferring beauty of dissonant seconds like Bartok or quoting Martinu and his refined neoclassical harmony. Father would be probably a bit critical about the minimalistic monotony of the main body of the piece. Nevertheless firstly he would improvise a short lecture of history of Agnus Dei in Requiem in Czech Music naming by heart many dates and all examples of changes of order of the traditional text by composers. Examples would be sung probably.
(Martin Smolka).

SKU: GI.G-8382G

English. Text by Paul A. Tate. Scripture: John 17:21, Luke 9:48, Luke 13:30, Mattthew 19:20, Mark 10:31, Mark 20:16.

** GIA no longer publishes nor sponsors the work of Paul A. Tate. Pieces for which Tate served as an arranger remain on our website as the original work of the composer.

SKU: MN.80-853

UPC: 688670808531.

Welcomed service music for communion services. Singable congregational part with well written choir parts. Flowing lines. Reproducible congregational part included.

SKU: GI.G-9672

UPC: 785147967200. English. Text by George Herbert.

Hampton produced a small, but significant body of hymn tunes that expanded the notion of what a hymn tune and its accompaniment could be. Melodic sequences and an accompaniment cast in trio sonata form were common compositional devices he employed, both are found in the tune MacDOUGALL. is set for two mixed voices (or equal voices, if desired) is taken from e Calvin Hampton Hymnary, G-2339. In the composer’s notes from that collection, Hampton suggests a tempo of quarter note = 76, saying: “the accompaniment can be played by hands alone, omitting the vocal line [found in the keyboard treble clef]. The accompaniment figure could be played on the guitar, piano, or harpsichord.” Listen to the recording and follow along with the score in this preview video:  .

SKU: GI.G-002318

Text by Cecil Frances Alexander.

From the CD Christ Is Risen, Truly Risen! (002311), this sublime choral anthem by the late Fr. Chrysogonus Waddell has a brief organ introduction that sets up the first stanza for unison choir and assembly. The second and third verses were conceived for SATB a cappella performance and clearly demonstrate Fr. Chrysogonus’s fresh harmonic language and concise part-writing. A graceful organ interlude prepares us for the grand final verse with soaring descant. .

SKU: GI.G-8781

UPC: 785147878100. Latin. Text by Thomas Aquinas.

A mellifluous tone pervades this setting of the classic Latin text for the Eucharist. Careful repetition of phrases makes for quicker learning without weariness for the hearer. The serene piano introduction reappears as a short interlude later on. Don’t be surprised if you hear parishioners and choir members humming snippets of this one after the service!