Featured Works
Advent and Christmas music for SATB
Music for mixed voices suitable for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
All and some (2022)
for SATB
All and some is a lively carol for SATB. Full of rhythmic vitality, and with a nod to the fifteenth century, this setting is ideal for choirs looking for a new piece to add to their repertoire. All and some is the opening track of St Martin's Voices acclaimed 2023 CD, A Winter Breviary.
Text (c.1450):
Nowell sing we, both all and some,
now Rex pacificus is ycome.
Exortum est in love and lysse.
Now Christ His gree He gan us gysse,
and with his body us bought to bliss.
De fructu ventris of Mary bright,
both God and man in her alight,
out of disease He did us dight:
Puer natus to us was sent,
to bliss us bought, fro bale us blent,
and else to woe we had ywent:
Gloria tibi, ay, and bliss,
God unto his grace he us wysse,
the rent of heaven that we not miss:
2 minutes 30 seconds
Click to order (£1.95 / £10 for digital download)
I was drawn to the text of All and some through studying the inspirational work of scholar Edith Rickert, whose collection, Ancient English Christmas Carols MCCCC to MDCC, brought medieval and renaissance carols to the attention of others in the first decade of the 20th century. The source, a manuscript kept at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, has challenged researchers, and several different attempts have been made to reproduce the text accurately.
As we journey on (2021)
for SATB and organ
A new anthem for Advent which captures the essence of the journey towards Christmas. A moto perpetuo, shared by the voices, and supported by the organ, takes us on a journey through a myriad of keys, before returning to where we began.
Review:
...requires a cathedral-standard choral group and a good organist, not least because of the shifting tonalities and textures, alongside the many variations in rhythm and pulse: but what an exciting work that deserves regular performances during the festive season. The same is true of two pieces by Olivia Sparkhall: As we journey on and A Renewal of Faith, SATB settings of words by Gillian Rogers (1934-2019) with challenging but rewarding organ accompaniments…. As with Sparkhall’s pieces, the composition makes much use of ostinato motifs…. Encore Publications is to be congratulated on their excellent choral repertoire, all of which is to be recommended.
Organists’ Review magazine, September 2021
3 minutes 30 seconds
Text:
Let us prepare for the coming of Christ, as we journey on to the kingdom of heaven. We give thanks that we have been called out of darkness into your everlasting light.
Let us reflect on the birth of Christ, as we prepare for the kingdom of heaven.
We give thanks that we have been called to be stewards of your eternal purpose.
Come, Lord Jesus, open our eyes that we may see your purpose for our lives;
and guide us all in the ways of peace.
Come, Lord Jesus, open our eyes that we may see your purpose for our lives;
and grow in full knowledge of your love, like the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Words, based on prayers of intercession, by Gillian Rogers (1934-2019)
Gabriel's Message (2020)
for SAT/B and piano/harp
In this version of the Basque carol, Gabriel’s Message, the angel Gabriel, and Mary have been cast as solo voices, with the rest of the choir taking on the role of narrator.
Text:
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
‘All hail’, said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!
‘For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honour thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
‘To me be as it pleaseth God’, she said,
My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.’
Most highly favoured lady. Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
‘Most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!
2 minutes 20 seconds
Also available:
arr. Gebet in der Christnacht by Fanny Hensel (2019) (SATB)
Multitude of Voyces (red book or digital offprint ) Recording
arr. The Desert by Emma Mundella (2020) (SATB + piano)
Multitude of Voyces (green book or digital offprint ) Recording