Gwyneth Walker

Music for Sunday 23rd December: Advent 4, Year C

Kathryn

Micah 5:2-5a
Canticle: Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) or Psalm 80:1-8
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45 [46-55]

If you choose Psalm 80:1-8 then you should include the square bracketed verses from Luke, so the Magnificat is included whichever way you do things.

Micah 5:2-5a is a prophecy about one who will come from Bethlehem to restore his people and care for them as a shepherd cares for his flock.

Luke 1:46-55 is the Magnificat.

Psalm 80:1-8 is a prayer for the restoration of Israel. “Turn us again, Lord God of hosts”.

Hebrews 10:5-10 is about the sacrifice of Jesus being the will of God, rather than the Temple sacrifices that were offered according to the Law.

Luke 1:39-55 is Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth.

Patricia Van Ness, Magnificat
Latin text, SSA (or TTB) and organ, moderately challenging, 6min.
Available from the composer’s website: http://www.patriciavanness.com/works-CM-accompanied.html
Recording:
http://www.patriciavanness.com/mp3/Magnificat.mp3

Gwyneth Walker, Magnificat from Bethesda Evensong
English text, SSAA Chorus, Solo Mezzo-soprano, Organ or Piano or Brass intet, Percussion, and Piano, moderately easy, 5min.
Published by E C Schirmer, availble from Presto: https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/sheet-music/products/8101708–gwyneth-walker-bethesda-evensong-be-our-light-in-the-darkness
Recording: http://www.coomanarts.com/gw/mp3/magnificat-ssa.mp3

Helen Williams, Mary’s Whys
English text by Sarah Lutton
SATB with organ, moderately easy (extended a cappella passages), 3min.
Score and recording available from Canossa Choral Music: http://www.canossa.co.uk/MarysWhys.html

Music for Sunday 16th December: Advent 3, Year C

Kathryn

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle: Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18.

Zephaniah 3:14-20 — a song of joy at the coming of the Lord, the King of Israel, who will restore the people and gather them and bring them home.

Isaiah 12:2-6 — a song of trust in God, and thanks and praise to God.

Philippians 4:4-7 — the letter writer tells the recipients (and us!) to rejoice in the Lord, to let our gentleness be known to everyone, and not to worry about anything but to pray to the Lord with thanksgiving.

Luke 3:7-18 — John the Baptist calls the crowd of people coming to be baptized a brood of vipers, and tells people what they should do: someone with two coats must give one away, tax collectors must only collect what they are meant to, soldiers must not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusations but be satisfied with their wages. People wonder if he is the Messiah and he tells them that one who is coming who will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Gwyneth Walker, I Thank You God
English text by e e cummings
SSA or SSATB and piano (or orchestra), moderately challenging, 5min 35s.
Available from Presto Classical. https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/sheet-music/products/8102799–gwyneth-walker-i-thank-you-god
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zrq9GRMVyo
Additional comments and resources: https://www.gwynethwalker.com/ithankyo.html

It’s also Sapientiatide – the ‘O’ Antiphons start on 16th December (if you sing eight of them; if you sing only seven, they start on the 17th). There are various settings of relevant texts which are suitable:

Melissa Dunphy, O Oriens.
Latin text from the O Antiphons.
SATB a cappella, moderately challenging, 4min.
Availble from the composer’s website: http://melissadunphy.com/composition.php?id=62
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM-H9l5PtC4

Carlotta Ferrari, O Oriens.
Latin text from the O Antiphons.
SATB a cappella, moderately challenging, 2min.
Available from CPDL. http://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/O_oriens_(Carlotta_Ferrari)
Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP-Zl0kXN00