A cappella SSATB
Commissioned by Magdalen College School, Oxford
First performance 3 July, 2009 | The Choir of Magdalen College School | Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford
Commissioned in the year of Haydn’s bi-centenary to celebrate his visit to Oxford.
Thy voice, o Harmony, is divine was commissioned by Magdalen College School to celebrate the Bicentenary of Haydn’s death and the composer’s association with Oxford. It was first performed on 1 July 2009 by the Oxford Sixth Choir, conductor Jon Cullen, in the Sheldonian Theatre Oxford as part of the MCS Arts Festival. Also performed at the same concert were works by Handel and Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis (Nelson Mass) by the Hanover Band, conductor Paul Brough.
The London premiere was given by the Esterhazy Singers, conductor Esther Jones, on 4 November 2009 at St Giles Cripplegate, Barbican, London.
This work is inspired by a little piece written by Haydn for the award ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre at which he received his honorary doctorate from Oxford University. Haydn’s Canzone à tre was composed as a round in a clever setting of the words, Thy voice, o Harmony, is divine, which could be turned upside down and sung backwards, simultaneously. The words are attributed to the Haydn.
The phrase shapes of this motet, Thy voice, o Harmony, is divine, derive in some way from Haydn’s Canzone, unfolding and overlapping between the voices. The central section presents a homophonic reference to the Haydn’s round with text and notes set in palindromic fashion. The conclusion of the motet dissolves into repeated, lingering phrases which melt into the air. The text is taken from the Haydn Canzone.
SATB & organ
Canticles
Duration: 7.5′
RSCM
First performed by the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music Choir, conductor, Christopher Batchelor, at St Pancras New Church, London, on BBC Choral Evensong, 11 May, 2016.
Link to Score:
https://www.rscmshop.com/mcdowall-st-alban-s-service-magnificat-nunc-dimittis-c1108.html
Link to recording:
Text: Psalm 139
A cappella SSATB
Duration: 5′
Gemini Publications
Commissioned by Berkhamsted Collegiate School for Head Teacher, Dr Priscilla Chadwick
Link to Score:
Link to recording:
Text: Psalm 127 | St Bede
SATB & organ
Duration: 5′
Oxford University Press
Commissioned by Stephen Taylor, to mark his sixtieth birthday, as a gift to all those who uphold the tradition of ecclesiastical choral music, and dedicated to his wife and two sons and all whom they hold most dear.
First performed the Choir of Merton College Chapel, Oxford, conductor Benjamin Nicholas, on 17 November, 2013, in the College Chapel
With an elegant simplicity Vita Mundo is uplifting and rewarding to sing.
Programme note
Link to Score:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/vita-mundo-9780193402850
Link to recording:
SSATB unaccompanied
1. Give me some music | 2. Mark how one string | 3. How sour sweet music is
Text: Shakespeare (obviously!)
Duration: 12′
Oxford University Press (2016)
First performance 28 January, 2016 | BBC Singers, David Hill, conductor, LSO St Luke’s, London
First Broadcast 28 April, BBC Radio 3, 2016
Programme note
Review available
Link to Score:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/when-time-is-broke-9780193408241
Link to recording:
SSAA unaccompanied
1. Give me some music | 2. Mark how one string | 3. How sour sweet music is
Text: Shakespeare
Duration: 12′
Oxford University Press (2016)
First performance March 2016 | Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London, UK | Wycombe Abbey Chapel Choir | Lawrence Tubb, conductor
Programme note
Review available
Link to Score:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/when-time-is-broke-9780193413740
Link to recording:
