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Christmas is Coming Ref: D96

A collection of carols for Advent and Christmas composed, arranged and edited by Nicholas Temperley.

Both a dedicated carol singer and an authority on the history of English music, Nicholas Temperley here offers a unique book of 37 carols dating from the fifteenth century to the present.

For over fifty years he has sung, edited and composed carols each Christmas, and in Christmas is Coming the fruit of his enthusiasm is combined with his wealth of knowledge to produce an outstanding and original new collection. As John Rutter observes in his Foreword, the book does not pointlessly duplicate what can be found in many other carol books, but has a personality and purpose of its own.

Further information...

Price: £10.95

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Corp, Ronald: A Christmas Mass Ref: D95

SATB and Organ or Piano
[PDF Sample]

Recently released on EMI Gold by BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year, Chantage, Ronald Corp's A Christmas Mass combines the time-honoured Latin text with the melodies of over 70 familiar carols and hymns in a musical feast for all lovers of a traditional Christmas.

Some of the tunes provide important thematic material. Others appear more briefly in the joyful accompaniment for organ or piano. All are skilfully woven into a bright and attractive score that will reach out to every member of an audience or congregation in a unique celebration of the season's musical heritage.

Price: £4.95

Corp, Ronald: Missa San Marco Ref: W218

SATB with optional organ
[PDF Sample]

This attractive and versatile short setting of the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei, by one of the UK's leading choral conductors and composers, is ideally practical for both Anglican and Roman Catholic sung eucharist. It can be performed 'a cappella' or with organ accompaniment by a small amateur or professional choir with occasional divisions, and will be no less welcome repertoire for annual patronal celebrations, where appropriate.

Written for the Highgate Choral Society in 2002, the 'Missa San Marco' received a memorable performance the following year in St Mark's Basilica, Venice, hence the title. No less suited to more modest liturgical venues, it has also been successful as a concert item. In 2007 it was performed unaccompanied at the Wigmore Hall, and in May 2008 it will be heard at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's South Bank, with the organ part arranged by the composer for orchestra. Score and parts are available on hire from the publisher, and are fully compatible with the vocal score.

Price: £2.95

Corp, Ronald: Three Medieval Carols Ref: W217

SATB (Unaccompanied)
Myn Lyking; The Virgin's Cradle Hymn; Quem Pastores Laudavere
[PDF Sample]

An expert choral director as well as a highly regarded composer, Ronald Corp has written unaccompanied SATB settings of three famous medieval carol texts, Myn Lyking, The Virgin's Cradle Hymn (Dormi Jesu) and Quem Pastores Laudavere. The idiom is modern yet accessible, with an ear for stylish harmony that includes both modal progressions and colourful added chords, embroidered in some rich yet untaxing divisi writing. The carols may be performed as separate items or as a group, the first two being cradle songs for the Nativity, the third also suited to the celebration of Epiphany on 6 Janaury. Ronald Corp is Founder and Artistic Director of the New London Orchestra and New London Children's Choir, and Musical Director of the London Chorus and Highgate Choral Society.

Price: £1.95

Darke, Harold: In the Bleak Midwinter. TTBB Ref: W223

TTBB and organ
Arranged by John Rutter
[PDF Sample]

There can be few more delightful presents than a piece of music. Even so,when Margaret Agnes Calkin, friend of the youthful Harold Darke, received In the Bleak Midwinter as a gift from the composer one Edwardian Christmas long ago, could she ever have guessed that a century later this delightful carol-anthem would be sung throughout the world, and even be voted 'the greatest Christmas carol of all time' by The BBC Music Magazine?

Though published in 1911, the autograph score bears the date of completion as 9 December 1909, and to mark the centenary of this remarkable setting of Christina Rossetti's immortal words, Stainer & Bell are pleased to publish a a version for TTBB and organ made by a master of contemporary choral music, John Rutter.

Like the version for SSA already available, this new arrangement for men's voices stays true to the much-loved original for SATB and organ, while making it available for the enjoyment of male-voice choirs. With John Rutter's transcription of the organ part for string orchestra, there are now more ways than ever to include the work in Christmas programmes, as well as other vintage choral items by Darke from the same period, including The Shepherds had an Angel, and the Three Carols for SATB: Love came down at Christmas, Cradle Hymn and A Christmas Carmen, also published by Stainer & Bell.

Price: £1.60

Hayes, Morgan: Japanese Sweet. Ref: Y235

Unison, piano and hand-held percussion
[PDF Sample]

Japanese Sweet was written for the New London Children's Choir, conductor Ronald Corp, and first performed at LSO St Luke's, London on 9 November 2006. The young performers are divided into two groups, one of which sings the short Japanese poem to traditional pitched notes, while the second group plays hand-held triangles and drums, and sings or whispers isolated syllables, or performs them glissandi. The poem, a terse and evocative description of Mount Fuji, is repeated twice, and on each repetition the accompaniment changes to reflect different aspects of the text. Japanese Sweet is a challenging and rewarding study in contemporary vocal techniques, which encourages children to explore sounds and the relation of music and image in fresh and imaginative contexts.

Price: £2.20

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Howells, Herbert: Before me, Careless lying. SSATB Ref: W219

[PDF Sample]

Before me, careless lying is a fine example of the contrapuntal art of Herbert Howells (1892-1983), inspired by the work of the great English composers of the Renaissance period, those of the madrigal school in particular, but in its passionate sensibility essentially twentieth century. The composer wrote this partsong on Christmas Day 1918, and dedicated it to his friend the organist Dr R. R. Terry, Director of Music at Westminster Cathedral, and chairman of the Tudor Church Music committee. The words are by the poet and biographer Austin Dobson, whose Collected Poems was published in 1897.

Perhaps as a token of the composer’s regard for Terry’s pioneering work in furthering the appreciation and understanding of sixteenth-century church music, Before me, careless lying was originally published with the alto and tenor parts notated in traditional clefs. It is here reissued with clefs in modern forms of treble and transposed treble respectively, and with a keyboard transcription of the vocal parts which is intended for use in rehearsal.

Price: £2.45

Kelly, Bryan: The Capriol Carol Ref: W222

SATB and Organ or Piano
[PDF Sample]

The Capriol Carol is a magical union of the treasured early English lyric 'This enders night' and the haunting tune of the 'Pieds-en-l'air' from Peter Warlock's much-loved Capriol Suite.

Church choirs comfortable with part-singing will find it easily within their grasp, but it will be no less effective when performed by larger choral groups. A simple yet telling organ part adds to the effect of this delightful new setting, which deserves a permanent place in the Advent and Christmas repertoire.

Price: £1.60

Kelly, Bryan: Kentucky Canticles Ref: W215

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for SATB and Organ.
[PDF Sample]

Bryan Kelly's Kentucky Canticles pay homage to the unforgettable music of the deep south, and in particular to the legendary black singer Paul Robeson.

Dancing spiritual rhythms infuse the Magnificat's energetic song of joy, and there are lively musical illustrations for the mighty, the proud, the rich, and the humble and meek before the return of the opening phrases heralds an exultant Gloria.

In contrast, the Nunc Dimittis draws on the expressivity at the heart of the spiritual style to capture the deep yearning of Simeon's song of farewell. Both movements have short passages for solo voices that may be taken by members of the choir.

The Kentucky Canticles are dedicated to John Scott and the Choir of St Thomas Fifth Avenue, New York, and are the latest addition to a long and distinguished output with which Kelly has enriched the musical heritage of Anglican worship.

Price: £2.95

Kelly, Bryan: Summer in Winter Ref: W224

SATB and Organ or Piano
[PDF Sample]

Bryan Kelly's choral music has enriched the repertoire of many choirs, who will be delighted by his latest carol Summer in Winter. The words, a prophetic text by the 17th-century Metaphysical poet Richard Crashaw, may also be used as a prayer within the Anglican Christmas liturgy.

A calm and reflective cradle song for SATB and organ, this charming piece moves strophically through quiet dissonances and shifting colours of major and minor chords to a softly radiant conclusion. Written for James Lancelot and the choir of Durham Cathedral, it will create a haven of musical repose within a sacred space, whether used as an anthem within Advent or Christmas services, or in a concert of seasonal music.

Price: £1.60

Knowles, Brian R: We Three Kings Ref: W225

Unison Voices and Piano
[PDF Sample]

'Brian Knowles has the rare gift for giving traditional carols a modern twist and at the same time enhancing their popular appeal,' says television personality Alan Titchmarsh MBE. 'We Three Kings is one of his most infectious and exuberant compositions. I love it and know it by heart.'

He is not alone in enjoying this hugely tuneful and upbeat new version of words adapted from the much-loved Christmas hymn. It is a favourite item in the repertoire of the choir of the Royal School for girls, Haslemere, whose enthusiastic performance has become a regular feature of Alan's Radio 2 show Melodies for You.

Children and adults alike will demand to sing this fun setting again and again, inspired by its compelling melody and rhythm that will also enchant audiences of all ages. There are gentler solo verses for the three gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold, with a sparkling refrain that brings the carol to an irrepressible conclusion.

Whether as a dynamic change of mood within a programme, or as a dashing end to its first or second half, We Three Kings will be an unforgettable addition to any Christmas concert.

Brian Knowles is also the composer of Jubilee Tribute, first performed in the Royal Albert Hall in 2002 in the presence of HRH The Queen, and eighteen of the nation's best-known poems set to music as Poetry Serenade, available on the Signum label.

Price: £1.95

Northcott, Bayan: Canticle: The Doubting of Thomas Ref: AC238

Solo Alto, Tenor and Baritone voices with optional ATB choir and organ
[PDF Sample]

Price: £2.50

Northcott, Bayan: Regina Celi (No. 4 of Four Votive Antiphons) Ref: Y210

Mezzo-soprano, three tenors and baritone.
[PDF Sample]

The publication of Regina Celi completes the cycle of four votive antiphons based on the traditional chants of compline, in which the composer Bayan Northcott has imaginatively recreated many of the techniques of medieval and Renaissance music in the context of a contemporary vocal ensemble. Two earlier settings from the sequence, Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater, have recently been recorded to great acclaim by the Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, on Signum SIGCD070. Whether performed by mezzo soprano, three tenors and baritone or full choir (the score may be used for either version) the cumulative effect is of a powerful distillation of the chant, as choral writing of increasing complexity brings the work - and the cycle - to a serene conclusion in F major.

Price: £2.50

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Purcell, Henry: Come ye Sons of Arts Ref: D98

Full Score.
[PDF Sample]

In a remarkable case of musicological detective work, Dr Rebecca Herissone has cast doubt on the veracity of the sole surviving source for one of Henry Purcell's best loved choral works. Furthermore, through careful analysis of the manuscript, and inspired by a fascinating historical 'find', she has established the probable text of the composer's ode as it was first performed on 30 April 1694 for the birthday of Queen Mary. How an eighteenth-century copyist known to history only as Pindar amplified and extended Purcell's lost examplar, in ways that corrupted his original intentions, is described in the Preface to the edition - a remarkable story, which is supported by a detailed Editorial Commentary. Brass and timpani are now omitted as being late-baroque additions, and there are modifications to the shape and phrasing of a number of movements. The overall effect is to simplify both the scoring and structure, with clearer word-setting and instrumental part writing.

This new edition of Come ye Sons of Arts was performed by the Gabrieli Consort & Players at the Wigmore Hall in April 2008, and will be heard again on 24 August at this year's Edinburgh Festival, given by The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers.

Price: £9.95

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Purcell, Henry: Come ye Sons of Arts Ref: Y271

Set of Instrumental Parts

1 x Oboe 1
1 x Oboe 2
1 x Recorder 1
1 x Recorder 2
1 x Trumpet
3 x Violin 1
3 x Violin 2
3 x Viola
3 x Instrumental Bass

Please note that there is also a continuo part, which is played from the full score (D98).

Price: £50.00

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Sing We Merrily: Music for Eighteenth-Century English Choirs Ref: D93

Edited by Nicholas Temperley and Susan Drage
[PDF Sample]

A collection of great historical interest, this practical anthology of anthems will appeal to West Gallery and Sacred Harp groups, as well as to church choirs both in Britain and America wishing to add an authentic and colourful strand of music to their worship. The contents are drawn from the definitive collection of this repertoire, Musica Britannica Volume 85, Eighteenth-Century Psalmody, with keyboard reductions and a comprehensive note on performance also included.

Price: £9.95

Vaughan Williams, Ralph: O praise the Lord of heaven Ref: W220

Two SATB choirs and semi-chorus.
[PDF Sample]

Reissued to mark the 50th anniversary of the composer's death, O praise the Lord of heaven was first heard in 1913 at St Paul's Cathedral. It is a bold, antiphonal anthem, in the same rich idiom as the Fantasia on the Theme of Thomas Tallis, and an ideal piece for performance in a large resonant acoustic.

Price: £2.65

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