Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022
Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
W. B. Yeats (1865–1939)
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Recorded virtually by Alex Scott and Esther Bersweden, 2020. Piano: Alex Scott
The angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; ‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favoured lady,’ Gloria!
‘For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be, all generations laud and honour thee, thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, most highly favoured lady,’ Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, ‘To me be as it pleaseth God,’ she said, ‘my soul shall laud and magnify his holy Name.’ Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say – Most highly favoured lady, Gloria!
Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)
RSCM Carols for Sopranos, Altos and Unison Lower Voices
Published by RSCM in September 2020, this anthology contains Esther’s setting of The Angel Gabriel.
SATB with Soprano, Alto and Tenor Solos, splits up to SSAATTB
c. 4’30”
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2025
Arise, shine for thy light is come: And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people. But the Lord shall arise upon thee: And his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light: And Kings to the brightness of thy rising. Therefore the gate shall be open continually: They shall not be shut day nor night. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land: Wasting nor destruction within thy borders. But thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy gates praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day: Neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee. But the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light and thy God thy Glory. And they shall call thee the city of the Lord: The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end, Amen.
Matins Canticle during Epiphanytide (Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 18, 19, 14b)
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by the University of Bristol Church Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2021. Organ: Isaac Powell
You have searched me Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Search me, O God, and know my heart; and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24
If you would like to perform this piece, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir with guest singers, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022. Organ: Isaac Powell
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum: quia pius es. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum: quia pius es.
May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord, with Thy Saints for evermore, for Thou art gracious. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. With Thy Saints for evermore, for Thou art gracious.
If you would like to perform the whole Requiem or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
SATB with Baritone Solo, minimal splits up to SSAATTBB
c. 4’50”
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022. Organ: Isaac Powell. Soloist: Ben Pennington
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I go down to the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:7-12
If you would like to perform the whole Requiem or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir with guest singers, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022. Organ: Isaac Powell
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona eis requiem sempiternam.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest.
If you would like to perform the whole Requiem or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
In this movement, an unaccompanied verse of singing is followed by an Organ Interlude based on the opening melody.
There a fully choral version of this movement with all three verses, which can be found here.
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir with guest singers, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022. Organ: Isaac Powell
I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Come unto me and rest; lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast.’ I came to Jesus as I was, weary, and worn, and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.
Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
If you would like to perform the whole Requiem or individual movements, please get in touch via the Contact page. I am happy to send perusal scores if interest is expressed.
