Nunc Dimittis (King's College Service) - for SATB/organ by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange

Описание: “This is simply beautiful choral writing by someone who knows, from a singer’s perspective, how to compose music which every choir will want to sing.”
John Rutter CBE

Track 4 (commissioned by King's Voices, Cambridge) from Heaven to Earth (SIGCD790), a collection of singable, accessible, sacred choral music by the best-selling choral composer and multi-faceted musician Joanna Forbes L’Estrange.

The album comprises introits, anthems, canticles, a set of Preces and Responses, and a congregational mass setting, and the 17 pieces display a range of styles, from traditional, church choral music to gospel- and jazz- influenced. Each piece sits comfortably within the SATB vocal ranges, the organ accompaniments are designed to support the choir, there is minimal division within the parts, and the harmonies are attractive and approachable. The texts are drawn from the Bible, the Psalms, The Book of Common Prayer, Holy Communion, writers including St Richard of Chichester, Phineas Fletcher, Jane Austen, and the composer herself, and all of the pieces are suitable for church services: Eucharist, Choral Evensong, weddings and funerals. The settings are written with the intention of enhancing the meaning of the words, both for those who sing them and for those who hear them.

Joanna Forbes L’Estrange says, ‘I’m a great believer in the power of a melody to elevate words.... I aim to set the words in such a way that congregations are drawn in, not alienated. I want to write uplifting, prayerful, tuneful pieces which are musically interesting enough for choirs to enjoy singing, whilst always remaining accessible and approachable to church choirs of all sizes and abilities.’

Heaven to Earth is a collection of contemporary church music which has been composed with all choirs in mind, from small church/community choirs to professional ones. Having began her musical life as a chorister in her local parish church choir of Bisley and West End in Surrey, Joanna became a professional singer (The Swingles, Tenebrae, London Voices) but, as a composer, feels a strong connection with her musical roots. Her first piece to be published was The St Helen’s Service, a congregational setting of the mass which has since been adopted by many church choirs as their weekly setting.

“This music is simply heavenly, and no choir, church or performance venue should miss out on the blessing this music brings. Through beautifully crafted accessible melodies, glorious harmonies, and a real ability
to convey the sense of meaning of the text, this richly varied repertoire goes straight to the heart.”
Ken Burton, conductor, composer, arranger & performer

Many of the pieces on this album were specially commissioned by, amongst others, the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), Ben Parry for King’s Voices Cambridge, a number of American choirs, composer and organist Philip Moore, and by friends and family for specific occasions. The Mountains Shall Bring Peace (Track 20) was commissioned by the RSCM to mark the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

The sheet music for all the pieces on this album is available from RSCM Music Direct and L’Estrange Music. The album was recorded at St Barnabas Church, Ealing, on June 19th and 20th 2023, engineered by Al Forbes and edited and produced by Alexander L’Estrange.

Heaven to Earth is dedicated to the memory Reverend Richard Abbott (1943-2022). He was Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s foster father and encouraged her to become a composer.

“Joanna’s choral music is truly sublime. It was a pleasure and honour to sing on this recording. Each piece brings a fresh approach to familiar church texts.”
Louise Clare Marshall, singer

“I commend most warmly this CD of Joanna Forbes L’Estrange's choral music. She has a gift for melody and for setting words with great sensitivity. Above all, choirs universally enjoy performing her music.”
Philip Moore, composer & organist

Track listing
1. Let My Prayer Rise Up
2. God The Holy Trinity
3. Magnificat (King’s College Service)
► 4. Nunc Dimittis (King’s College Service)
5. The Chorister’s Prayer (mixed voices version)
6. Preces and Responses
7. Words From The Cross
8. Give Us Grace
9. Faith, Hope and Love
10. For The Beauty Of The Earth
11. The Chorister’s Prayer (upper voices version)
12. Drop, Drop, Slow Tears
13. High As The Heavens
14. Lord, Have Mercy (The St Helen’s Service)
15. Glory To God (The St Helen’s Service)
16. Holy, Holy, Holy (The St Helen’s Service)
17. Lamb Of God (The St Helen’s Service)
18. The Lord’s Prayer
19. Saint Richard’s Prayer
20. The Mountains Shall Bring Peace
21. Go Forth In Peace