Category: compositions

Song Cycle Sung Grace

Byartsyhonker August 27, 2016 0 Comments
Earlier this summer, Song Cycle went on a day pilgrimage to Romsey Abbey. As is often the case with pilgrimage, it didn't go entirely to plan. In fact, my bicycle broke, and not in a way that meant a 40-minute delay by the side of the road replacing a tube, but more seriously. The frame just... came apart. Thankfully I was riding rather gently up a hill at the time, not barrelling down one as I...

Waterworks Corner

Byartsyhonker July 31, 2016 0 Comments
Here's one I wrote the other month -- premiered by the London Gallery Quire at St Andrew's Leytonstone on 2nd July. There is a version for West Gallery available from the London Gallery Quire website -- it's LGQ 533 -- but I've also put a version for organ on the Choral Public Domain Library as usual. Here are some robots singing it: 1 Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray, I am for ever thine; I...

Wherever Love Is: Braxted 84 84 88

Byartsyhonker June 30, 2016 0 Comments
A while ago I asked for metrical English translations or paraphrases of Ubi Caritas, which is such a lovely text and one rather under-used in modern hymnody. One of the texts written as a result of that request was the following by TJA Thurman: 1. As friendship fills our meeting-place, Jesus is here; He dwells in every friend's embrace, Each smile sincere, Rejoicing in the love we share. Wherever...

Hail, Lady, Sea-Star Bright

Byartsyhonker April 25, 2016 0 Comments
I was pleased to participate in the Old Hispanic Office project as one of twenty composers selected to attend workshops with Bristol Cathedral Choir, the choir of Christ Church Oxford, and the Kokoro Ensemble as part of the project. I have been fond of the Ave maris stella text since studying it for an improvisation class while at Trinity College of Music, but it is also relevant to this project...

Trisagion chant

Byartsyhonker April 12, 2016 0 Comments
This one was written at the request of Fr Jack. He asked me, "Can the choir sing the Trisagion as we enter the church on Good Friday?" I said I'd see what I could do. We didn't have much time to rehearse, so it needed to be something simple, especially as I never know quite how many voices I'll have during Holy Week. There may be other settings of this that are better, but this is what we used...

Sonnet 27

Byartsyhonker February 26, 2016 0 Comments
The Fourth Choir had a composing competition, which I entered. I didn't make their shortlist, so here is my setting of Shakespeare's Sonnet 27. The words, of course: Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed, The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; But then begins a journey in my head, To work my mind, when body's work's expired: For then my thoughts (from far where I abide) Intend a zealous...

Advent — Christina Rosetti

Byartsyhonker December 4, 2015 0 Comments
We're well into December and there is so much going on that is very focused on Christmas; yet this is still Advent, a season of preparation. Advent is my SATB setting of Christina Rosetti's poem by the same name: 'Come,' Thou dost say to Angels, To blessed Spirits, 'Come': 'Come,' to the lambs of Thine own flock, Thy little ones, 'Come home.' 'Come,' from the many-mansioned house The gracious...

Christmas Carols with the London Gallery Quire

Byartsyhonker November 27, 2015 0 Comments
Wednesday 2nd December 2015 7.00pm Christmas Carols with the London Gallery Quire Tickets £6 on the door St George's German Lutheran Church 55Alie Street London E1 8EB (Located at the junction of Alie St and Leman St – 2 mins walk from Aldgate East tube) If you come along to this concert you will not only get to hear me play the serpent, but you'll be at the premiere of my setting of "The...

Harringey, now with recording.

Byartsyhonker October 13, 2015 2 Comments
Back in 2012 I set these words by Doug Chaplin: From the Jordan to the desert, from the crowd to barren place, Spirit-driven, Satan-tempted, Lord, you sought the Father’s grace: show us now your pow’r, in weakness, presence in the empty space. Out of Egypt with God’s people, freedom brings its testing stress: what is right and what is truthful, how the name of God confess? Jesus, be our...

Continuum (a vilanelle for a lost one)

Byartsyhonker July 27, 2015 0 Comments
My grandmother, Mildred Rose, was a poet; when I was a child she published a book of poetry. Here is one of the poems: I miss you when roots waken to spring rain and more when summer penetrates the land though friends still tell me time will ease my pain. When grave earth flares to lively green again and star-eyed lovers walk, quick hand in hand, I miss you when roots waken to spring rain. As...