The current Catalogue at present
on the website contains all Cathedral Music titles up to the end of June 2014 –
that is, up to CM 1130. As will be
apparent, this is the point at which the RSCM has officially taken over Cathedral
Music Ltd. However, they are keeping the
Cathedral Music catalogue as a self-contained entity, and it will continue to
develop. Since that date, four new
titles have already appeared:-
CM 1131 Ashfield, Robert (1911-2006) Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in D mi. £1.90
This is a reissue of a simple but
much-loved unison setting of the Evening Canticles. Written for the students of
the Rochester Theological College, it is an interesting setting that - in the
composer’s introduction - casts new light on the often-sung words. It is the
first in a series of reissues of his church music that will be appearing in the
next few months.
CM 1132 Hewitt Jones, Thomas Trust in the Lord £2.50
Since winning the BBC Young
Composer Competition in 2003, Thomas Hewitt Jones has become increasingly well
known, and his music is now performed, broadcast and published all over the
world. This beautiful anthem for SATB and Organ sets words from the Book of
Proverbs, and was written for the Choir of St Barnabas, Dulwich for the
Installation of the church’s new Vicar on 22nd September this year.
CM 1133 Grier, Francis (b 1955) O God, in my deeds £1.30
Francis Grier is one of this
country’s foremost composers of church music, and Cathedral Music is proud to
be the publisher of all his recent music. This anthem, for soprano solo and
unaccompanied divisi SATB choir, sets words from the Carmina Gadelica, and was written for Aidan Oliver and the Choir of
St Margaret’s Westminster, who gave its first performance on 2nd
November. The ethereal opening gives way to a gathering intensity that matches
the words, and it finishes in a blaze of glory.
CM 1134 Grier, Francis Jesu, swete sone dear £1.30
This carol was commissioned by
Geoffrey Webber and the Choir of Caius College, Cambridge, and will receive its
first performance there this Christmastide. The mediaeval words are set in
atmospheric fashion – the ascetic opening reflecting the spartan setting of the
bare stable, building to a richer climax before dying away again at the end.
The setting is for soprano and tenor soloists, with unaccompanied divisi SATB
choir.
This is also the moment to
mention
CM 1128 Grier, Francis Death,
be not proud £3.00
The contrast between the two
previous titles and this magnificent anthem can hardly be overstated. It was
commissioned by Paul Trepte and the Choir of Ely Cathedral, and given its first
performance there on Remembrance Sunday. The organ has a dramatic role to play,
not only enhancing the effect of the choral writing but itself commenting
eloquently on the apocalyptic sentiments of John Donne’s poem. The quieter,
more reflective sections are given mainly to the SSAT soloists, while the choir
(with divisi writing) engage full-on in the struggle with death. This is a work that will add immensely to the
musical commemorations of the Great War, and has already received a second
performance in Bristol given by David Ogden and his Exultate Singers.