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.
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.
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.
