Ave Maria
March 15, 2019
The Catholic prayer to the Mother of God begins with a direct quote from the Archangel Gabriel when he visited Mary for the annunciation … More Ave Maria
Tag: music
Ave Maria – K L Cooper (b.1979)
March 1, 2019
This well known prayer has been set to music by many, many composers through the centuries. This arrangement is less well known as it was written in the last 10 years specifically for a small group of musicians known as “Madrigirls” based at the University of Glasgow … More Ave Maria – K L Cooper (b.1979)
Light of the World – Lyrics: Paul Wigmore (1925-2014), Music: John Dankworth (1927-2010)
February 15, 2019
This beautiful melody had slipped completely from my memory until I saw the phrase ‘Light of the World’ in “Walking Backwards to Christmas”, the text used by the Advent group in December … More Light of the World – Lyrics: Paul Wigmore (1925-2014), Music: John Dankworth (1927-2010)
Navidad Nuestra: Los Reyes Magos Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010)
February 1, 2019
On the twelfth day of Christmas my True Love sent to me…gold, frankincense and myrrh, delivered by an unspecified number of “wise” men who had travelled a long and arduous journey from the east, guided only by an unusually bright star in the sky … More Navidad Nuestra: Los Reyes Magos Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010)
Instrumental Music for Worship
January 15, 2019
A quote often attributed to St Francis of Assisi is that we should endeavour to “Preach the gospel at all times…use words if you must”. I myself have found that quite often, words are superfluous to finding spiritual meaning in music … More Instrumental Music for Worship
Navidad Nuestra: El Nacimento Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010)
January 1, 2019
Navidad Nuestra (“First Christmas”) is a 6-movement work that takes us from the Annunciation through the Pilgrimmage, the Nativity, the Shepherds and the Three Kings to the Flight to Egypt … More Navidad Nuestra: El Nacimento Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010)
Ceremony of Carols Op. 8 – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
December 15, 2018
Written in 1942, this is a choral piece, scored for three-part treble chorus (usually children, but can also be women), solo voices, and harp … More Ceremony of Carols Op. 8 – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
A Flower Remembered (Rutter 1945-present)
November 7, 2018
As I have written previously, 2018 is a year of deep remembrance, being the centenary of the ending of the First World War … More A Flower Remembered (Rutter 1945-present)
Harvest Song
October 15, 2018
At this time of year St Margaret’s Children’s Choir likes to sing a song about the process of planting, nurturing, growing and harvesting crops. It is a happy tune that swings along in lilting 6/8 time, and reminds me of the story of the Little Red Hen … More Harvest Song
We Shall Walk in the Valley of Peace
October 10, 2018
2018 has been a year of remembrance with concerts to commemorate the centenary of the ending of the Great War reaching their climax in November … More We Shall Walk in the Valley of Peace
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 