Four
English Anthems
for unaccompanied choir
music by David McCulloch
O.S.B.
(Catalogue L017)
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The above anthems may be bought as a set for £6.99 each or separately at £1.99 each (see Catalogue page).
Notes
We are delighted to introduce David McCulloch as a new composer to our catalogue. These four English Anthems are delightful and fall well into our category of music suitable for the amateur parish choir. It is lovely to have a new setting of the familiar text of "Rejoice in the Lord always", made famous by Henry Purcell. Equally the text of "If you love me, keep my commandments", made famous by Thomas Tallis.
Perhaps more unusually, we include a setting of part of Dylan Thomas's poem, "Do not go gentle into that good night" which is particularly haunting and a splendid interpretation. Lastly, we include a reworking of the familiar hymn "Come down, O Love Divine" in anthem form.
Detailed performance notes, as written by the composer, are listed below: -
If you love me
This famous text from the Gospel of St. John is used liturgically in the period towards the end of the Easter season, especially between Ascension and Pentecost. However, it would also be suitable for general use. The style of singing for the opening and closing sections should be inward and mediative, while the faster middle section needs to be sung with spirit and exuberance, in anticipation of the joy of the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.Do not go gentle into that good night
Dylan Thomas's well-known and beautiful poem, written as a response to the death of his father, is considerably longer than the verses selected for this anthem. It would be suitable for a funeral, or more generally during the month of November, the month dedicated to the commemoration of the faithful departed.There should be considerable dynamic and dramatic contrast in this piece, with the verses concluding "Rage, rage against the dying of the light" expressing anger and bewilderment in the face of the mystery of death, which should alternate with calm acceptance, especially in the final bars.
Rejoice in the Lord always
This text, taken from chapter four of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians, is traditionally associated in the Catholic liturgy with the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday). It could be used however for any joyful celebration! A strong movement of one dotted minim beat to the bar should be retained throughout, apart from the section marked "Tranquillo", where a certain reduction of tempo is required. For the final repeat of the refrain, the original mood should return until the concluding bars.Come down O Love Divine
'These verses, made famous by Ralph Vaughan Williams's classic hymn tune, "Down Ampney", are a translation of a hymn to the Holy Spirit by the 12th Century Italian, Bianco de Siena. The mood of this anthem should be very expressive and closely follow the meaning of the text. In the third section, scored for semi-chorus, no more than 2 or 3 per part are required.'The opening solo should be sung by a mezzo. However, if this is not possible, two soloists can be used, and also for the opening part of the solo, and a soprano from the phrase "O Comforter, draw near".
For the final section, the sopranos should divide, although a couple of altos could support the melody in the soprano if necessary for the melody to be always clear.