CHORAL
GOLD AND SPICES
SATB, Moderate, Duration c.3'00''
A setting of Christina Rossetti's beautiful poem They Have Brought Gold And Spices. Originally written for the Reading Phoenix Choir (dir. Christopher Hann) and premiered at Reading Minster in December 2019. They aim to sing everything memory so it was written with that in mind, hence the recurring motif that has been referred to as something of an "earworm"!
Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmVG6oweIk8
Preview/Buy score at https://www.selahpub.com/Choral/ChoralTitles/405-302-GoldAndSpices.html
HE HAD NOT WHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD
SATB, Easy, Duration c.3'30''
A gentle, lullaby like carol setting the poem of the same name by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911). The poem is based on a passage from Matthew 8:20, opening with the words: 'The conies had their hiding place, the fox with stealthy tread a covert found, but Christ, the Lord, had not a place to lay his head.' Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was one of the first African-American women to be published in the United States, also an abolitionist, suffragist, teacher and public speaker.
Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb4-ZBiT4B8
Preview/Buy score at https://www.encorepublications.com/publications.shtml#willis_a
HERE I AM
SATB and Organ or Piano, Moderate, Duration c.3'20''
Setting words from Genesis about the binding of Isaac it is driven by the repeated phrase that starts each verse, "“Abraham! Abraham!”, “Here I am,” says he". I was struck by the three appearances of the summons from the angel and how Abraham must have felt each time he was called. The music reflects the change from the first summons where he is asked to sacrifice his son, to the second where he is reprieved and the third where he is honoured by the Lord for his faithfulness. There are two linking sections that tell the events between each summons. The choir sometimes acts as an instrumental texture, allowing the words to be heard clearly as the story unfolds, then culminating in a burst of glory as the Lord declares repeatedly that “earth shall be blessed for ever more, for your true love for me.”
Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R058lBfD3tI
Preview/Buy score at https://www.encorepublications.com/publications.shtml#willis_a
I SING OF A MAIDEN
SATB (some divisi), Moderate, Duration c.3'40''
The text comes from an anonymous 15th Century Middle English lyric poem about the Virgin Mary. This setting reflects elements of the medieval through use of open fifths at the start and end and largely modal harmonies but with a distinctly twentieth century flavour to the harmonies. The choir frequently uses vocalisations in order to let the words be heard and whilst some of the harmony is complex it is always led by the individual vocal lines. First performed by The Music Makers of London (cond. Hilary Campbell) in December 2016 it was the winner of the Nick Edwards prize at its premiere.
Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1SiucT_mI
Preview/Buy score at https://www.multitudeofvoyces.co.uk/volume-1-satb-anthems/
https://composersedition.com/alison-willis-i-sing-of-a-maiden/
OUT OF THE ORIENT CRYSTAL SKIES (CHRISTMAS)
SSA and Piano or Organ, Moderate, Duration c.3'00''
A lively setting of the early seventeenth century carol with the refrain 'Falantidingdido', written for Olivia Sparkhall and Godolphin Vocal Ensemble.
Coming soon.... contact Alison directly
THERE IS NO ROSE
SATB (div.) with soprano solo from within choir, Moderate, Duration c. 2'40''
Setting the well known text from the Trinity Roll, this piece has the choir starting with vocalisations and responses to the solo soprano before blossoming into joyful Glorias at its heart.
Listen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGJ3I1sZGvQ
Score available as single digital offprint or as part of https://www.multitudeofvoyces.co.uk/volume-3-advent-to-candlemas/
THE THREE KINGS
SATB and Organ/Piano, Easy/Moderate, Duration c.4'10''
A possible alternative to the tradition 'We Three Kings of Orient Are'... setting words from the wonderful poem by Edith Nesbit telling of the Kings' disillusionment with their quest, 'Let us fool no more, but like kings and men each get him home to his land again!' says the second king. Then spake the third, “So very far ye have followed the light of the radiant star, And because for a while ye see it not, shall its faithful shining be all forgot? To-morrow our star will be bright once more the little pin-hole in heaven's floor-- The Angels pricked it to let it bring our feet to the throne of the new-born King!"
Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQoBQLCwJME
Preview/Buy score at https://www.encorepublications.com/publications.shtml#anthologies
ORGAN
YEA, LORD, WE GREET THEE
Organ, Easy/Moderate, Duration c.1'50'' -
nice big, joyful and bright piece for Christmas morning! The Postlude is based on Adeste Fideles incorporating bits of the tune and the descant (which also has flavours of Ding Dong Merrily on High)! It is written to be achievable and enjoyable to play, and is possible on one manual with pedals although directions are given for two.
Listen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd3k11GPjPQ&list=PLOwIPp46Ao9HUMqj_k3Z5ZuxukwYcILI0&index=1
Preview/Buy score at www.timknightmusic.com/product-page/tkm877-organ-music-for-the-christmas-season-6-pieces