A Hymn for St Cecilia: Vocal Score

ISBN-13: 9780193414709 / Angielski

Malcolm Archer

Opis

for SATB (with divisions) and organ Set to Ursula Vaughan Williams's celebrated paean to the patron saint of music, this work is by turns joyous and reflective. Rich harmonies, shifting tonalities, and expressive melodies combine to evoke the changing moods explored within the text. The poignant Andante section midway through the piece, sung by a solo soprano, is a pivotal moment; it gives way to increasingly jubilant and powerful writing that brings the work to an ecstatic conclusion.

Recenzje

Malcolm Archer explores all the different moods of Ursula Vaughan Williams's wide-ranging text. Although the piece is essentially joyful ('Sing for the morning's joy'), quieter moments of contrast leave a strong impression: 'Sing for your loves of heaven and earth', and the soprano solo 'Your summer time grows short and fades away'. With a strong, almost ecstatic finish, it would be a good choice for a choral festival service.

O autorze

Malcolm Archer was educated at King Edward VII School, Lytham, the Royal College of Music, and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was organ scholar. He studied the organ with Ralph Downes, Gillian Weir and Nicolas Kynaston, and composition with Herbert Sumsion and Alan Ridout. He is a prolific composer with well over 200 published works, which receive regular performances on BBC radio and TV. Archer was formerly Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral and is now Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College.