Tag: works:SATB

Another Double Psalm Chant

Byartsyhonker August 30, 2018 5 Comments
I was asked to compose a psalm chant for Psalm 91, for the University of London Church Choir to sing on our tour to Ripon Cathedral last week. I can't share the recording with you yet, as I haven't heard it; but I hope to be able to eventually. In the meantime, the PDF and midi file are on the Choral Public Domain Library as usual. Also as usual, it's under a Creative Commons Attribution...

Music for Lent 1: Angelis suis

Byartsyhonker February 14, 2018 0 Comments
(If I've done this correctly it should post on Wednesday night, UK time...) Ready or not, Lent is upon us. In January, Sally Martin-Brown asked me if I had anything suitable for the University of London Church Choir visit to Jerusalem. I had a rummage through my notebooks, sure I'd started something at some point, and sure enough, there was a sort of skeleton of this piece, the Latin version of...

I would not paint — a picture —

Byartsyhonker November 30, 2017 0 Comments
I was delighted to be asked to write a piece for the Chapel Choir of King's College, Aberdeen, for them to sing on St Cecilia's Day this year. I chose this text by Emily Dickinson at the suggestion of Catherine Fox: I would not paint — a picture — I'd rather be the One It's bright impossibility To dwell — delicious — on — And wonder how the fingers feel Whose rare — celestial — stir...

Winter Stars

Byartsyhonker August 31, 2017 1 Comment
It's not winter yet! But here's a winter poem, by Sara Teasdale, which I've set to music: I went out at night alone; The young blood flowing beyond the sea Seemed to have drenched my spirit’s wings— I bore my sorrow heavily. But when I lifted up my head From shadows shaken on the snow, I saw Orion in the east Burn steadily as long ago. From windows in my father’s house, Dreaming my dreams...

Double Chant in E minor

Byartsyhonker July 31, 2017 1 Comment
I've just spent a week singing Evensong in Lincoln Cathedral, with the guest choir for the week: the Cathedral Singers of Ontario. We had a lovely welcome from the cathedral and indeed the city of Lincoln had much to offer, without being overwhelming. I always enjoy singing with CSO, and learn a lot. In addition, my mother is here to visit from Canada, and we have been having some time catching...

Round Me Falls the Night

Byartsyhonker May 31, 2017 0 Comments
I've long enjoyed William Romanis's hymn text, "Round Me Falls the Night" -- so I decided to set it as an anthem. Originally I used TTBB voicing, but on balance, I like the SATB version better. I think it could be just the thing for a quieter Evensong service, or for Compline. Robot clarionets: PDF Round Me Falls the Night SATB Round me falls the night; Saviour, be my Light: Through the hours in...

O Sweet and Blessed Country

Byartsyhonker March 30, 2017 0 Comments
Another short piece, really just an SATB setting (with some light divisi) of one verse of a hymn, Jerusalem the Golden (not to be confused with Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, which is also beautiful). But it's a verse which is often changed in modern hymnals, which I think a great shame: O sweet and blessèd country, Shall I ever see thy face? O sweet and blessèd country, Shall I ever win thy grace?...

Double Chant in C Major

Byartsyhonker October 30, 2016 0 Comments
Last Sunday one of my psalm chants was sung in Guildford Cathedral, by the University of London Church Choir. I wrote it for Psalm 119 vv 1-16, but as Anglican chant is meant to be flexible you could use whatever words you like. Accordingly, the copy over on CPDL doesn't include the text. If you can't read the PDF there is a midi file, though it's a bit slow. As usual, this is under a Creative...

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...

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...