Tag: Accompanied

Requiem

SATB with Baritone Solo and Organ, splits up to SSAATTBB (splits are minimal)

c. 30′

The themes of this Requiem are rest and light. The texts were chosen to reflect this; the movements which usually appear in a Requiem Mass were selected because they contain phrases that fit with these themes, such as ‘et lux perpetua luceat eis’ (let perpetual light shine upon them’) and ‘dona eis requiem (‘grant them rest’).

The Kyrie, which is combined with the poem Spellbound by Emily Brontë, provides a foil for the tranquility of the other texts; the element of darkness inherent in the Brontë poem complements the beseeching quality of the Kyrie. It also adds contrast to the other movements, which overall have a more meditative, restful character (the exception being the more joyful Sanctus and Benedictus). Spellbound highlights darkness as being the opposite of light, and encompasses the inevitability of darkness and death, whilst retaining a sense of strength and resolution.

The other two texts used in this work which are not commonly found in the Requiem Mass are the first verse of I Heard the Voice of Jesus say, the hymn written by Horatius Bonar, which focuses on the theme of rest; and a few verses from Psalm 139, where the baritone soloist and choir declaim the words ‘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.’

The premiere was given in November 2022 by Avon Chamber Choir with guest singers. The organ was played by Isaac Powell, and the soloists were Alex Scott and Ben Pennington.

Individual movements can be found here:

I Introit

II Kyrie

III Sanctus and Benedictus

IV I Heard the Voice of Jesus say

V Agnus Dei

VI The Darkness is as Light

VII Lux Aeterna

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.

Love Came Down at Christmas

SSA and Piano, splits up to SSAA

c. 2’40”

Commissioned by the Music Department at Redmaids’ High School, Bristol

Performed by Redmaids’ High Chamber Choir, directed by Stephanie Harrison, 2018. Piano: Kate Woodman

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

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.

Light

SATB and Piano, splits up to SSATB

c. 5′

Commissioned for Bristol Youth Choir, celebrating the opening of the Bristol Beacon

Performed by Bristol Youth Choir at Bristol Beacon, directed by David Ogden, 2024

Light, my light, the world-filling light,
the eye-kissing light,
heart-sweetening light!

Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the center of my life;
the light strikes, my darling, the chords of my love;
the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter passes over the earth.

The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light.
Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light.

The light is shattered into gold on every cloud, my darling,
and it scatters gems in profusion.

Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling,
and gladness without measure.
The heaven’s river has drowned its banks
and the flood of joy is abroad.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

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.

I Saw Three Ships

This is the version for SSA (accompanied). If you would like to see the version for SATB (accompanied), please click here.

SSA and Piano/Organ

c. 4′

Commissioned by the Music Department at Redmaids’ High School, Bristol

I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the Angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Traditional

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.

I Saw Three Ships

This is the version for SATB (accompanied). If you would like to see the version for SSA (accompanied), please click here.

SATB and Piano/Organ

c. 4′

Performed by the Choir at St Barnabas, Oxford, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2024. Organ: Martin Payne

I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the Angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
And all the Souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Traditional

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.

Creator of the Stars of Night

SATB and Organ

c. 5′

Commissioned by Huw Morgan and Redland Green Choir, Bristol

Creator of the stars of night,
Thy people’s everlasting light,
O Jesu, Saviour of us all,
Regard thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving at the bitter cry
Of all creation doomed to die,
Didst come to save a ruined race
With healing gifts of heavenly grace.

Thou camest, Bridegroom of the bride,
As drew the world to evening-tide,
Proceeding from a virgin shrine,
The Son of Man, yet Lord divine.

At thy great name, exalted now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow,
And things in heaven and earth shall own
That thou art Lord and King alone.

To thee, O holy One, we pray,
Our judge in that tremendous day,
Preserve us, while we dwell below,
From every onslaught of the foe.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
Whose advent sets thy people free,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Spirit blest, forevermore.

Amen.

Latin, Tr. J. M. Neale (1818-1866)

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.

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

This is the version for Upper Voices and Organ. If you would like to see the unaccompanied SATB version, please click here.

S (with descant) and Organ

c. 3’30”

Performed by the Choristers at St Barnabas, Oxford, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2024. Organ: Martin Payne

Come thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of ev’ry nation,
Joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver;
Born a child and yet a king;
Born to reign in us for ever;
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley (1707-88)

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.

Adam lay ybounden

This is the version for SATB and Organ. If you would like to see the version for Upper Voices and Organ, please click here.

SATB and Organ

c. 2’05”

Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long.

And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkes finden written
In their book.

Ne had the apple taken been
The apple taken been;
Ne had never our lady
A-been heavene queen.

Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen
Deo gratias!

15th Century

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.

Adam lay ybounden

This is the version for Upper Voices and Organ. If you would like to see the version for SATB and Organ, please click here.

Unison Upper Voices and Organ

c. 2’05”

Performed by the Choristers at St Barnabas, Oxford, directed by Esther Bersweden, 2025

Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long.

And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkes finden written
In their book.

Ne had the apple taken been
The apple taken been;
Ne had never our lady
A-been heavene queen.

Blessed be the time
That apple taken was,
Therefore we moun singen
Deo gratias!

15th Century

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.