Edmund Rubbra (1901-1986)
The choral works of Edmund Rubbra available in the Stainer & Bell catalogue complement the cycles of symphonies, string quartets and Masses for which he is widely recognised as a leading 20th-century British composer.
Fresh and appealing repertoire for singers, the Five Motets, Five Madrigals and Amoretti were the fruit of his lifelong interest in Elizabethan and Jacobean music and poetry. A Catholic convert, he drew on the mystical tradition of his faith for The Dark Night of the Soul for SATB chorus and orchestra. A setting of words by St John of the Cross, its subject of Christ-as lover is powerfully conveyed in an atmosphere of darkly brooding chromaticism reminiscent of Shostakovich. In contrast, the song ‘In Dark Weather’ is a quietist vision of nature in a folk-like, impressionistic idiom. For the Introduction and Fugue for solo piano the composer combined his talents as a concert pianist and gifted contrapuntist, while Psalm 122 is another fine example of his command of polyphonic writing for unaccompanied choir.
Edmund Rubbra works published by Stainer & Bell
These titles can be ordered in our online shop where you will also find prices and further information. The items with [PDF] after them are links to free sample pages in the Adobe Acrobat format.
Choral
Five Motets Vocal Score (Ref. 20543)
Eternitie; Vain wits and eyes; A Hymn to God the Father; The Search; A Song
Settings of texts by Richard Crashaw, John Donne, Robert Herrick and Henry Vaughan.
The Dark Night of the Soul. [11'] Score and Parts and Vocal Scores (Rental Ref. HL169)
SATB Chorus, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, trumpet, timpani & strings
From the Archives...
The following titles by Edmund Rubbra are not in our current sales catalogue, but are available to special order as authorised photocopies
through our archive library. They are now available through our online
shop.
Amoretti Op.43 Voice and String Quartet (Ref. 50106)
Five Sonnets of Edmund Spenser
Lacking my Love, I go; Fresh Spring; Like as the culver; What guile is this; Mark when she smiles
Five Madrigals Op. 51 SATB Vocal Score (Ref. 51533)
When to her lute Corinna sings; I care not for these ladies; Beauty is but a painted hell; It fell on a summer's day; Though you are young
In Dark Weather Voice (High) and Piano (Ref. 37509)
Introduction and Fugue Op. 19c Piano (Ref. 53538)
Psalm 122 Op. 164 SATB (Ref. 51249)
I was Glad.
