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Recently published sheet music includes the following choral works, liturgical settings and
Christmas music. All music is published by Oxford University Press and can be ordered directly from the publisher’s website or from the music retailer of your choice, including Presto Music, JW Pepper and SheetMusicPlus.
Choral Works
John Rutter Choral Works for TTBB Choirs
“This collection of nine of John Rutter’s most popular anthems, arranged by the composer for lower voices, has been carefully compiled to reflect a wide variety of texts and styles. Encompassing both sacred and secular pieces, the collection provides a valuable and attractive body of repertoire for lower-voice choirs.”
Contents: A Gaelic Blessing; Blow, blow, thou winter wind; Candlelight Carol; God be in my head; Lead, kindly Light; Nativity Carol; O waly, waly; The Lord bless you and keep you; When the saints go marching in
“The shades of Finzi and Vaughan Williams are strongly present in these three delightful madrigals for unaccompanied choir, and yet the style and execution are wholly Rutter’s own. O mistress mine is a jaunty jazz waltz, playing 5/8 bars off against 3/8, Be not afeard casts a dreamy spell with dusky sonorities and magical harmonies, and Sigh no more, ladies brings the set to a cheerfully melodious and high-spirited conclusion.”
Liturgical Music
“This superb Latin mass setting for choir and organ demonstrates the composer’s strong melodic sense and innate feeling for the sound of choral worship. The atmospheric Kyrie leads to a Gloria that contrasts vibrantly rhythmic passages with smoother, expressive sections. The mysterious harmonies of the Sanctus pave the way for a tender Benedictus, and the Agnus Dei is a haunting and powerful prayer for peace.”
“Celebration is an exciting work for solo organ. Exuberant rhythms prevail in the outer sections (including a playful reference to Walton’s Crown Imperial), framing more pensive music at the centre of the piece. Celebration (and John’s Latin mass setting for choir and organ – Missa Brevis) were written at the invitation of the Chapter of York in memory of Richard Shephard, a composer, former educator, and retired Director of Development and Chamberlain of York Minster.”
Christmas Music
“This appealing motet for SATB choir and organ accompaniment was written in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Although the prevailing mood of the gently flowing music is lyrical, with an atmosphere of loving peacefulness, William Blake’s Lullaby is not without its darker undertones, and they too are explored, with one or two bold harmonic touches.”
“John Rutter creates a peaceful and contemplative atmosphere in this new arrangement of the traditional German carol, Es ist ein’ Ros’ entsprungen. The piece opens with a lyrical melody from the solo oboe, over a wash of gentle, hummed vocal harmonies. Rutter continues the carol by underpinning the vocal melodies with ‘ah’s and hummed parts, and keeping the dynamics soft, to retain its tranquility.”
“Setting original words by the artist Marc Bratcher, this tender and evocative carol for unaccompanied SATB choir is suitable for performance at Christmas or Epiphany. The work opens with a gently flowing soprano solo, displaying Rutter’s characteristic gift for melody, before the thematic material is developed by the full choir, with some divisi.”
“Dedicated to the Oxford Vaccine Team, Joseph’s Carol sets words by the composer that recount the Christmas story from the perspective of Joseph. The two expressive verses are taken by the solo baritone, with the chorus performing a macaronic refrain infused with expectancy and wonder, as well as taking on the role of the angels in a soft accompaniment to the closing words of the second solo verse. The upper three voice parts are designed to be approximately equal in strength, and the carol may be accompanied by organ, piano, or small orchestra.”
Have a listen to some of the new pieces on this Spotify playlist and let us know your favourite by commenting below.