SKU: GI.WW1935
UPC: 785147038467. Latin. Text Source: Traditional Latin.
This beautiful motet by William Byrd epitomizes Byrd's mature style characterized by warm harmonic language, variation of musical texture, and effortless counterpoint. Transcribed from the 1589 Cantiones Sacrae, minimal but effective editorial work makes this a tremendous edition for more advanced SATB choirs.
SKU: HL.48025402
UPC: 196288201038.
Short motet commissioned by St DominicÂ’s Sixth Form College, Harrow-on-the-Hill, UK, to celebrate its 40th anniversary. MacMillan chose a text which is entirely appropriate to young people about to be let loose on the world to fulfil their potential: 'Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire'. But where another composer might have made this a fanfare MacMillan writes with the gentleness of sincerity. The music is very straightforward and in wanting a solo soprano line he outlines all the ways this can be achieved: soloist, group of sopranos, or all the sopranos if the altos can be split into two. The choir repeats the mantra text above throughout the motet, while the soprano solo line is given the prayer which follows. Only at the very end do they all join together in the words 'Jesus, love, Jesus, love' with a lovely E major ending.
SKU: HL.48022628
A peaceful carol telling the Christmas story of the angels' visit to the shepherds. The simple but still jazz-inspired harmonies, unison sections and attractive melodies make this a very approachable but effective carol.
SKU: MN.50-1137
UPC: 688670511370. English.
A lilting choral accompaniment evokes pizzicato sounds surrounding the tenor melody in verse one. The other verses are set more conventionally but still reflect the goals of our Christmas with The Singers series: that the audience will enjoy the famliarity of the carol but be enchanted by the creativity of the arrangement. Challenging, but masterful in how Matthew Culloton treats the ensemble as a self-sufficient choral idiom. Duration 2:30.