Anvil Chorus   GIUSEPPE VERDI

This chorus is also known as “The Gypsy Chorus”. It comes from the beginning of the second act of Verdi’s 1853 opera Il Trovatore. It describes Spanish Gypsies striking their anvils (hence the English name). They revel in hard work and plenty of wine, but most of all, the gypsy women. The chorus is nearly entirely in unison. Piano. Cat.no.1586. Price code C – duration 2’55”.

Ave Maria   JACOB ARCADELT

The oldest item in this male voice music collection: a much-loved, simple, serene motet in praise of the Virgin Mary, written in about 1535, probably in Florence.   Unaccompanied - Latin. Cat no 1505 - price code A - duration c.2'30"

Ave Maria    BACH / GOUNOD

The three best-known settings of the Latin text Ave Maria are those by Schubert, Caccini and Bach/Gounod. All three are featured in this catalogue.  In 1859 the French Romantic composer Charles Gounod published his Ave Maria, which turned out to be a melody superimposed over the Prelude No.1 in C major from Book 1 of the Well-tempered Clavier written by Bach nearly 150 years earlier. It proved to be ingeniously satisfying. Piano – Latin. Cat. no 1573 – price code D – duration 1’ 55”.

Ave Maria   GIULIO CACCINI

This setting of Ave Maria was 're-discovered' in the 1990s and has since enjoyed a huge success, being recorded by Lesley Garrett, Charlotte Church, Aled Jones, Julian Lloyd-Webber and others. The choir has to remember only two words, and the male voice music arrangement is almost entirely in two parts.  Piano or organ - Latin. Cat no 1566 - price code B - duration c.2'50"

The Bandits' Chorus  GIUSEPPE VERDI

Choirs that have enjoyed singing Verdi's first international success, the famous Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, should also like this lively opening chorus from Ernani. It also was a 'hit'. The bandits describe the harsh conditions of their lives. Their only solution is to drink!   Piano - English. Cat no 1544 - price code B - duration c.2'30"

Be Still My Soul   JEAN SIBELIUS

Known as the Finlandia hymn, this setting is taken from the serene, hymn-like section of Finlandia, a patriotic tone poem written in 1899 by Finland’s most celebrated composer, Jean Sibelius. He subsequently re-wrote the section as a separate piece. The melody has attracted many lyricists, particularly Christian hymn writers. The first line can be “We rest on Thee, our shield and our defender”, or “This is my song, oh God of all the nations”, or “Thou art the way, none other dare I follow”. However, “Be still my soul, the Lord is always near thee” is far and away the most popular and probably the best. It first appeared in English in 1855. Piano. Cat.no.1584 price code C – duration c. 2’

Cantique de Jean Racine   GABRIEL FAURÉ

The Cantique is one of Fauré's most cherished choral compositions. In 1865, as a 20-year old student in Paris, he entered the work in a competition. It won first prize. This male voice music version features a new translation by Patrick Rooke as well as the original French.   Piano or organ - English or French. Cat no 1506 - price code D - duration  c.6'50". Arranged by Alec Gould.

Come, All Who Thirst   LUIGI CHERUBINI [?]

Tradition attributes the music of this inspirational song to Cherubini, the 18th century Italian-born Opera composer, but there is no real evidence. The choir is divided into three equally-balanced groups. Each group has its own 12-bar melody, producing a simple but effective male voice music setting of the Old Testament words.   Piano - English. Cat no 1559 - price code A - duration c.3.10"

Coming Home   ANTONIN DVORAK

The second movement of Dvorak’s Symphony from the New World needs no introduction. Its main theme is much loved. This new choral setting leads the wanderer to his destiny, showing him the way home. Organ/keyboard. Cat.no.1583 price code D – duration c.2’50”.

Creation's Hymn   LUDVIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Beethoven wrote over 80 solo songs. This is his best-known and one of his finest. It rejoices in the wonders of the world that God has created.   Piano - English. Cat no 1504 - price code A - duration c.2'30"

Gloria   ANTONIO VIVALDI

There cannot be many mixed voice choirs who have not sung Vivaldi's Gloria. The first movement works particularly well for men's voices, and is an exhilarating setting of just four words, "Gloria in excelsis Deo". An ideal concert opener, and its 16-bar introduction is a useful aid to getting the choir on stage.   Piano - Latin. Cat no 1524 - price code B - duration c.2'40"

How Excellent Thy Name   GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

A 'Hallelujah' chorus by Handel that isn't from Messiah but from Saul, an oratorio composed three years earlier. Most of the chorus is a setting of the one word 'Hallelujah'. Another powerful opener, exciting but challenging - arranged as male voice music.    Piano or organ - English. Cat no 1510 - price code D - duration c.3'20"

If Ye Love Me   THOMAS TALLIS

Tallis has been described as the 'Father of English Cathedral Music'. He was born around 1505 and became joint organist of the Chapel Royal (along with William Byrd). He was  one of the first composers to set religious music in English. This well-known motet is in two sections with the second one repeated.       Unaccompanied - English. Cat no 1579 - price code B - duration c.2'

Jesu Dulcis Memoria   TOMAS LUIS DE VICTORIA [?]

This short hymn has long been a favourite, and is a perfect example of 16th century unaccompanied sacred music, even though its authorship is in doubt.   Unaccompanied - Latin. Cat no 1517 - price code A - duration c.1'45"

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring   JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

The English poet laureate Robert Bridges made many translations of important historic hymns and published them in a collection called the Yattendon Hymnal. He was particularly attracted to German melodies and to the music of Bach,  including the Passion Chorale we sing as “O Sacred Head, sore wounded”  (also in this catalogue).  The melody of “Jesu, joy..” comes from one of Bach’s 200 or so cantatas.  Bridges words have helped to make it one of Bach’s most enduring works.  Piano or organ - English. Cat.no 1574 – price code B – duration 2’30”

Lascia Ch'io Pianga   GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

Originally a soprano solo, this famous tune comes from Rinaldo, the first opera Handel wrote for London audiences on his first visit to England. Arranged here as male voice music.  Piano -English or Italian. Cat no 1512 - price code C - duration c.3'15"