This is the version for SSA. If you would like to see the versions for SATB or SAB, please click here: SATB SAB
SSA and Piano
c. 3’50”
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, “O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!”
Pussy said to the Owl, “You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?” They sailed away, for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-Tree grows And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose.
“Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?” Said the Piggy, “I will.” So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.
Edward Lear (1812-1888)
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.
Commissioned by the RSCM for the York Young Voices Festival 2024
Performed by the Choristers at the RSCM Bath Choral Course, directed by Emma Gibbins, 2024. Organ: Nicholas Freestone
Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure, unfolding in beauty the green growing tree, the changing of seasons in mountain and valley the stars and the bright restless sea.
Oh the life of the world is a fountain of goodness overflowing in labour and passion and pain, in the sound of the city and the silence of wisdom, in the birth of a child once again.
Oh the life of the world is the source of our healing. It rises in laughter and wells up in song; it springs from the care of the poor and the broken and refreshes where justice is strong.
So give thanks for the life and give love to the Maker and rejoice in the gift of the bright risen Son. And walk in the peace and power of the Spirit till the days of our living are done.
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.
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.
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.
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir with guest singers, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022. Organ: Isaac Powell
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed in He who come in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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 and Organ, splits up to SSATB
c. 4′
Performed by Avon Chamber Choir with guest singers, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2022. Organ: Isaac Powell. Soloist: Alex Scott
Kyrie eleison
The night is darkening round me, The wild winds coldly blow; But a tyrant spell has bound me And I cannot, cannot go.
Christe eleison
The giant trees are bending Their bare boughs weighed with snow. And the storm is fast descending, And yet I cannot go.
Kyrie eleison
Clouds beyond clouds above me, Wastes beyond wastes below; But nothing drear can move me, I will not, cannot go.
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
English Text: Spellbound by Emily Brontë (1818-1848)
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
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem: exaudi orationem meam ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Zion; and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem: hear my prayer; all flesh shall come to Thee. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
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.
