New Sacred Music Anthology
The publication of Sacred Music by Women Composers Volume Two: Upper Voices Anthems on 18 April is great news for everyone who conducts Upper Voices choirs. For me, both my Junior Choir and my Chamber Choir will benefit from the exciting additions to the repertoire that this anthology will bring. 25 freshly-published pieces is ambitious for any anthology and the variety of content means that there really is something for everyone. Unlike Volume One which had an even spread between historical and contemporary composers, this volume has a ratio of 8 historical to 16 contemporary, enabling a very wide range of styles and idioms to be covered, and many new voices to be heard.
Six pieces have already been recorded onto CD and can be heard on this Spotify playlist.
Others appear in videos on YouTube as follows:
1. Amy Bebbington I sing of a maiden (SSS/A)
2. Judith Bingham Les Saintes Maries de la Mer (SSA (some divisi))
3. Lili Boulanger Pie Jesu (S & organ)
4. Hilary Campbell Our Endless Day (SSA & harp or piano)
5. Rebecca Clarke Ave Maria (SAA)
6. Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade Car auprès de toi (SSSSAA)
(Awaiting video)
7. Carlotta Ferrari Songs for Hildegard i. Nos sumus in mundo (SA)
ii. Quasi aurora (SA)
8. Angelina Figus Hodie Christus natus est (SSA)
9. Joanna Forbes L’Estrange Give us grace (SSA (& optional piano))
10. Bianca Maria Furgeri Ego flos campi (SSA)
(Awaiting video)
11. Margie Harrison The Lord is my shepherd (SSSA (some divisi))
(Awaiting video)
12. Hildegard von Bingen O virtus Sapientie (S)
13. Carol J Jones All shall be well (SSA & harp or piano)
14. Linda Kachelmeier O vis eternitatis (SSS)
(Awaiting video)
15. Caroline Lesemann-Elliott Regina Caeli (SS & continuo)
(at 1 hour, 11 minutes, 53 seconds)
16. Sarah MacDonald O beata Trinitas (S (some divisi) & organ)
(Awaiting video)
17. Gemma McGregor Love was his meaning (SSA & harp)
18. Morfydd Owen He prayeth best who loveth best (S & piano or organ)
19. Roxanna Panufnik Ubi Caritas (SS & piano)
20. Julia Perry How beautiful are the feet (S & piano or organ)
21. Elizabeth Poston Te lucis ante terminum (S (& semi-chorus) A & harp or piano)
22. Clara Schumann Let earth’s wide circle round (SSS)
23. Olivia Sparkhall Lux Aeterna (SSSSSS & harp or piano)
24. Grace Williams Psalm 150 (SS & organ) (Welsh or English)
Multitude of Voyces exists to support underrepresented, vulnerable and marginalised groups through music and words. I hope you will join me in supporting their work by purchasing the anthology here.
