The Voice Of The Bard

This work sets a poem by George Meredith. The poem Winter heavens begins as a winter landscape before coming richer stranger and more metaphysical. Winter heavens was premiered in December 2011 by the BBC Singers and Stephen Cleobury.

Written whilst the composer was living in Comeragh Road the litanies of the title are sixteen discrete sections of music varying in length from two seconds to a minute. Each of these blocks has a different texture musical character and registration from its predecessor and the structure of the piece is articulated by a pattern of contrasts repetitions and allusions.

This piece is demanding for both the singers and the accompaniment with much ornamentation in the vocal part. The work is slow in tempo and the text is by Algernon Charles Swinburne.

This anthem is set to a text by the 10th-century Sufi mystic Al-Junaid. For the most part the mood is intimate and introspective; intertwining whispered melodies sometimes in free time alternate with quiet homophony. There is a moment of soaring unrestrained ecstasy towards the end of the piece before it draws to a hushed conclusion.Suitable for a variety of occasions this is beautiful cha…

A challenging yet delicate anthem with subtle key-signature changes Vocal divisions in up to eight parts and alternating homophonic and polyphonic passages the piece combines excerpts from the synonymous medieval hymn and Wordsworth's poem The Virgin making it especially suitable for celebrations of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For SATB unaccompanied.This is a vibrant and rhythmic Christmas carol based on an anonymous 15th-century text. The modal feel and lively rhythms lend this carol a medieval character which will delight singers and audiences alike. An enjoyable option for any SATB choir at Christmas.

for SATB unaccompanied Offprinted from Advent for Choirs this setting of the Matin Responsory is full of drama and varied choral textures from its declamatory opening in G minor until its unexpected but thrilling conclusion in B major.

Due to popular demand this exquisite piece has been made available as a separate choral leaflet. It is also in the anthology Weddings for Choirs. Ideal for concerts and special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries this choral song sets a beautiful text by Paul Eluard to rich sumptuous music which will delight singers and listeners alike.

With specially written poems by Karlis Verdins based on the Adonis chapters from Frazer's The Golden Bough each song in this little cycle explores a single Affekt.