I read with some bemusement an article in the Telegraph. Beware the wrath of the church organist, it warns, and goes on to list various musical infelicities. Slipping unexpected tunes into music is practically obligatory, as far as I’m concerned. … Continue reading
Every time we sing “Christ, whose glory fills the skies” I despair a bit. The tune “Ratisbon” is… well, it’s okay, but it’s not anything to really write home about. The other tune suggested in New English Hymnal is just … Continue reading
I’ve corrected Transfiguration, which I wrote in 2012. The new edition corrects some slightly dodgy Italian and also one of those pesky errors where Sibelius thinks it’s okay to put two quaver rests instead of one crotchet rest. I have … Continue reading
This week I am singing with the Ontario Cathedral Singers as they are doing a “cathedral week”, singing services in cathedrals while the regular choristers are away. I met their director, and had an organ lesson with him, this past … Continue reading
At the beginning of November I set out to write and harmonise thirty hymn tunes in thirty days. The idea was that I would, at the end of November, have a body of work to point to, and also that … Continue reading
It’s getting near the time for the annual Carol Service at St Andrew’s Leytonstone, and rehearsals started last night. For the Carol Service we have a “Community Choir” — people from the community, and people from church who don’t usually … Continue reading
Since I stumbled across them in the “confirmation” section of the New English Hymnal — in fact the one hymn makes up the entire section — I’ve liked these words by Matthew Bridges (1800-94): 1 My God, accept my heart … Continue reading
This text by Ben Jonson is often sung to Melita: 1 I sing the birth was born tonight, The Author both of life and light: The angels so did sound it; And like the ravished shepherds said, Who saw the … Continue reading
I completed this on Saturday, 10th November as my contribution to 10eleven12 but didn’t get a chance to transcribe it and upload it until today. Words by Thomas Thurman: Elijah thought he stood alone; you spoke of his mistake, but … Continue reading
I like these words by Isaac Watts, but the only sung version of them I know is a bit difficult for congregational singing. You can hear it about 33 seconds into my Easter Journeys contribution from spring 2012: Now, I’m … Continue reading