SKU: ST.MB89

ISBN 9790220222573.

The third and final volume devoted to the anthems of S. S. Wesley completes the canon with 23 original works written in the period between his departure from Exeter Cathedral to become organist of Leeds parish church in 1842 and 1874, the likely date of his final essays in the genre. Moving towards a greater simplicity of style, with less counterpoint and dissonance, but emphasising elements of colour, timbre and texture, these works are in general conceived on a more modest scale than earlier pieces such as The Wilderness. Even so, they show the composer continuing to experiment with the Anglican verse anthem, the evolution of which had been the cornerstone of a creative achievement without equal in the history of the English cathedral tradition between Purcell and Stanford.

SKU: FG.55011-567-5

ISBN 9790550115675.

Alex Freeman's (b. 1972) Cathedral of Spring for chamber choir (2019) to poems of e.e. cummings and Robert Frost was commissioned and premiered by Somnium Ensemble. The composer tells: For the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Somnium Ensemble (Finland), I was commissioned to write a piece with spring as a central theme. While contemplating that and perusing appropriate poetry, I was inspired by memories of the night-time sky in early spring--the warm air, the teeming, buzzing energy of life all around, and an expansive dome of stars overhead. I then imagined that moment in time as a kind of sacred space; this is the point where the cathedral notion came to mind. The frenetic and joyous poetry of e.e. cummings, from his Epithalamion, gives an exclamatory introduction to the set, followed by his vision of spring from the point of view of giddy children in his iconic poem, [in Just-]. We then take a moment to contemplate the ephemerality of all this beauty (spring giveth and spring taketh away, i.e. an offertorium of sorts); Robert Frost's Blue-Butterfly Day places us in a moment where, by chance, we find ourselves enveloped by a delicately fluttering swarm of butterflies. Peaceful and still, yet in constant flux, we spend a some time taking that phenomenon in, while also experiencing a twinge of the realisation that this is truly fleeting. The final movement, returning to a later stanza from Epithalamion, cummings's sparkling paean to May is set as a kind of final anthem..

SKU: WD.080689592171

UPC: 080689592171.

Easter! Resurrection Sunday! Believers across the world gather to offer praise and thanksgiving as they celebrate our Lord’s glorious victory over death, hell and the grave! Cries of “Hallelujah, He is risen!” ring out in the halls of cathedrals, from behind pulpits, and within the walls of our churches; they soar around the globe on broadcast signals, are proclaimed on the hillsides, shouted from the shores during Easter Sunrise services, and rise up from choir lofts, as singers lift their voices to sing of our Redeemer and conquering King. Yes, Hallelujah! He is risen!

But before God’s awesome display of resurrection power raised Christ from the dead, the Savior had to walk that long, lonely road leading to Calvary. It is on that dark and dangerous road, through a journey of sorrow and suffering, that Christ willingly went to the cross. There He died for our sins, paying the ultimate price for our redemption.

ROAD TO CALVARY, the new Easter musical from Word Music & Church Resources, arranged by Daniel Semsen, walks us down the path leading to Calvary’s road. Together we follow His footsteps as Jesus traveled from Nazareth, across the hills of Galilee, traversing the Mount of Olives, and walking a lifetime of steps toward Gethsemane. There He prayed all alone in the garden, agonizing over the terrible pain and suffering He knew He would soon endure. Carrying the weight of our sins up Calvary's hill, He gave His life’s blood for the redemption of every man, woman and child; there He established this unimaginably beautiful truth for all people, for all time...Calvary covers it all.

SKU: GI.G-018070

UPC: 641151125848.

Missa Simplex, one of WLP’s simplest musical settings of the new translation of The Roman Missal, has fast become one of our most popular. Shortly before his death, Richard Proulx wrote the Gloria Simplex,(WLP 005304), a straightforward and easily learned chant setting of the newly revised Gloria. The simple melodic pattern of the chant is repeated throughout the setting as the Gloria unfolds, with a few musical surprises that result in a setting that is anything but boring! After Proulx’s untimely death, Michael O’Connor, O.P., utilizing the melodic structure of Proulx’s work, set the rest of the components of the Mass. The Gloria is widely used during Ordinary Time from the smallest parish with keyboard and cantor to this country’s largest cathedral communities, accompanied by pipe organ and supported by a large choir. Because of its simplicity, this setting has become the setting in many parishes for the seasons of Advent and Lent—minus the Gloria, of course! Chant has a universal Catholic sense, and this Mass setting captures that sense and brings the assembly into an intimacy with the newly translated texts of the Mass in a simple and at times haunting way. Highlights: One of the simplest settings GIA/WLP has to offer. The Gloria Simplex, written by Richard Proulx shortly before his death, is a chant setting with a simple melodic pattern—with some musical surprises! Michael O’Connor continued Proulx’s work by utilizing the melodic structure for the remaining components of the Mass. Used in parishes with only keyboard and cantor, but also widely used in large cathedrals with pipe organ and a large choir. An ideal Mass setting for Advent and Lent.

SKU: GI.G-018040

What has made this Mass rise to the top in popularity in parishes across the English-speaking world? Its adaptability. From parishes with keyboard and/or guitar and cantor to cathedrals with a large SATB choir and multiple instruments (organ, brass quartet, timpani, handbells), Mass of Wisdom has proven itself as a “Mass for the masses.” Its step-wise melodic patterns make it easy to learn without sounding musically trite in any way. Music directors agree that the through-composed Gloria is one of the most finely crafted of all the new musical settings of the prayer. That fine crafting extends to all components of this Mass, especially the acclamations sung during the Eucharistic Prayer. The multi-layered Hosannas in the Sanctus will delight the members of the choir as well as the singing assembly. This is a Mass setting that simply soars. It is a perfect setting for Ordinary Time, but music directors tell us that the Christmas and Easter seasons are made more glorious and joyful when this setting is sung, especially when the additional instrumentation is added. Dioceses and parishes that employed Mass of Wisdom as the first setting during the implementation of the new translation have found themselves returning to it time and time again. It truly has become part of the “Catholic musical DNA” across the United States and beyond.