Nathan Jones: I Would Live in Your Love Context The lyrics from Nathan Jones’ choral work I Would Live in Your Love are taken from Sara Teasdale’s poem of the same name. The poem was originally featured in Teasdale’s collection of poetry Helen of Troy of Other Poems, which was Read more…
Steven Stucky: Lulajże, Jezuniu Context Steven Stucky (1949-2016) was a Pulitzer Prize winning American composer who wrote music for a range of different ensembles. He is perhaps most well-known for his orchestral works such as Dreamwaltzes (1986), Jeu de timbres (2003) and Rhapsodies for Orchestra (2018). Stucky also wrote a Read more…
Libby Larsen: A Lover’s Journey Context Commissioned by The King’s Singers, Libby Larsen’s six-part male vocal suite A Lover’s Journey tells the story of love. A Lover’s Journey is set into four separate songs, with Larsen using text from William Shakespeare and James Joyce. The work was premiered on Valentine’s Read more…
Hildegard von Bingen: O eterne Deus Context Translated into ‘O eternal God’, this short antiphon by Hildegard von Bingen talks about central themes of love and the dawning of humankind. She uses lots of imagery of light and divinity, making this a hopeful antiphon. The Text Latin and English translations Read more…
John Tavener: God is With Us: A Christmas Proclamation Context Known for his incredible catalogue of sacred vocal works, John Tavener has been described as “having a very rare gift of being able to bring an audience to a deep silence.” Although Tavener is largely celebrated for his choral works, Read more…
Hildegard von Bingen: Cum erubuerint Context Hildegard von Bingen’s haunting choral work Cum erubuerint is a companion piece to her other antiphon Cum processit factura. Between these two works the story of Adam and Eve’s naive fall into deception and how the Virgin Mary and her Son graced the world Read more…
Hildegard von Bingen: O virga ac diadema The Text 1 – O virga ac diadema purpure regis / O branch and diadem in royal purple clad, que es in clausura tua sicut lorica: / who like a shield stand in your cloister strong. 2 – Tu frondens flouristi in alia Read more…
Hildegard von Bingen: Alleluia! O virga mediatrix Context This verse is meant to accompany the singing of the Gospel at Mass. Alleluia! O virga mediatrix is one of Hildegard von Bingen’s musical depictions of the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation history. The text speaks of feminity and fertility, with the Read more…
Hildegard von Bingen: O frondens virga Context The Roman Catholic definition of an antiphon is “liturgical music, chant melody and text sung before and after a psalm verse, originally by alternating choirs.” Hildegard von Bingen’s O frondens virga is a psalm antiphon that is sung by a choir. Often accompanied Read more…
Henry Purcell: With that Sublime Celestial Lay Context As the seventh movement of thirteen in Henry Purcell’s Hail! Bright Cecilia (1692), With that Sublime Celestial Lay is a trio composed for alto, tenor and bass. The work is in honour of the feast day of Saint Cecilia – the Read more…