SKU: GI.WW1873
UPC: 785147031765. English. Text by T.J. Wheeler.
A complex work utlizing atmospheric imagery and an imaginative pallete of musical color. Relays the message that beauty can be found in suprising places.
SKU: OU.9780193404847
ISBN 9780193404847. 12 x 8 inches.
For SSAATTBB unaccompanied A challenging yet delicate anthem, with subtle key-signature changes, vocal divisions in up to eight parts, and alternating homophonic and polyphonic passages, the piece combines excerpts from the synonymous medieval hymn and Wordsworth's poem The Virgin, making it especially suitable for celebrations of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
About Oxford New Horizons
New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music.
SKU: OU.9780193391703
ISBN 9780193391703. 12 x 8 inches.
For SSAATTBB unaccompanied I sing of a Maiden combines flowing lines with rhythmic irregularity, and ends with an airy weightlessness which, in the words of the composer, echoes the vernal flavour of the words. Although rhythmically challenging, this beautiful carol is hugely rewarding and perfect for any experienced choir.
SKU: GI.G-7799
UPC: 785147779902. English. Text Source: Trad.
Either of these pieces would be a great introduction to a slightly chromatic style of choral writing—enough of a challenge to be interesting, but not so difficult as to leave the choir disillusioned! Outside of a couple places, the range for all voices is well within a comfortable span.
SKU: C4.9790902257183
ISBN 9790902257183. 8.27 x 11.7 inches.
Commissioned by Christopher and Nicola Lock for the St James's Church, King Street Organ Replacement & Restoration Appeal in November 2019, this is a beautifully radiant introit, with text taken from a liturgical book of processions, dating from about 1526.Shelly explains: The format for the plainchant is such that there is a response, a verse, and repetitions of the response. I haven't replicated the format in my work, instead setting it as one 'run-through' of the text in a full choral setting. I've also set it in a way that the ending doesn't sound final. This is deliberate because as an Introit, it is an introduction to the liturgy, and I want the piece to 'lead in' to the rest of the liturgy..
SKU: CA.177700
ISBN 9790007253929. German.
The conductor Frieder Bernius regards the motets of Hans Fahrmann as an indispensable and extremely welcome addition to the late Romantic repertoire. The composer's output is little known nowadays. Born in 1860, he was considered the Richard Strauss of the organ during his lifetime. With their demanding harmonies, Fahrmann's choral motets place high demands on choirs and - like Reger's works - stretch tonality to its extremes. And not least, their sonorous expressivity is thanks to their chromatic richness. Frieder Bernius has recorded the Motets opp. 34, 45, and 65 with the SWR Vokalensemble for the first time on CD (Carus 83.499).
SKU: PE.EP68578
ISBN 9790300759630. English.
Of Time and Passing (2016) is a cycle of three choral songs written specifically for the London-based ensemble, VOCES8, taking into consideration their versatilityand ability to beautifully intone a range of vocal colors with precision and grace.
The first song, I. Life, sets my translation of the poem A Vida by Brazilian poet Olavo Bilac (1865-1918), a poet I discovered while studying Brazilian Portuguese at the University of Michigan. I was drawn both to the simplicity of the text and to the possibilities of teasing out dual contrasting moods. In the beginning and end, this song explores a texture that is very much alive: wave-like contours, throbbing sounds, and plenty of flowing movement. Rising eighth-note motives in particular emphasize the fleetingness of life. But in the middle of the song, the listener is given a slowed-down atmosphere to savor life's beauty.
II. To Everything a Season capitalizes on VOCES8's ability to effectively interpret popular genres a cappella. This ancient text is taken from Ecclesiastes (dated around 300 B.C.) but I set it to a modern, rhythmically-regular and percussive pop-style idiom. Since popular music in whatever era is designedto appeal to a specific ?present time?, it is by its very nature ephemeral, and therefore seemed an apt metaphor to evoke the transitory nature of seasons.
III. Into Your Hands, confines the writing into no more than four parts, often with octave unisons.This creates a more direct and word-focused setting in which the Psalmist?s urgent words are placed at the forefront. Largely homophonic, this song is at times chorale-like, at times madrigal-like,finally relinquishing it?s tension into peaceful rest, proclaiming ?You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God??
- Daniel Knaggs
