Hail, True Body

Five short anthems for Holy Communion

by

Vernon Hoyle

These easy anthems, composed for Colin Ashworth and the Choir of All Hallows, Wellingborough are suitable for use in Christian churches of most denominations. While they were composed with parish church choirs in mind, they should also be of interest to cathedral choirs and to choirs in collegiate foundations. The anthems are available separately or as a collection. For details of prices please contact the publisher (contact details below).

1.     Author of life divine: text by Charles Wesley. Scored for SATB chorus and organ with optional soli.

2.     Come, thou everlasting Spirit: text by Charles Wesley. Scored for unaccompanied SATB chorus with optional soprano solo. May be performed with accompaniment, if desired.

3.     Hail, true Body: text by H N Oxenham. Scored for unaccompanied SATB chorus. May be performed with accompaniment, if desired.

4.     Not a thought of earthly things: text by A J Mason. Scored for unaccompanied SATB chorus. May be performed with accompaniment, if desired.

5.     Thee we adore: text by J R Woodford. Scored for SATB chorus, and organ with optional soprano solo. May be performed without accompaniment.

Available from the publisher:

Mallard Music

19 Mallard Drive, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, NN15 5TG

Tel: 01536 725186

Web site: http://www.duckmusic.free-online.co.uk/mallard/

‘The writing is smooth and uncomplicated, with flowing lines, equally grateful for singer and listener. This is music written by one steeped in the English Choral Tradition and the music exudes the devotion suited to its purpose and implicit in the title. All the pieces share the same harmonic idiom which is firmly tonal but with enough dissonantal ‘spice’ to ensure freshness and interest without intruding overmuch into the Eucharist for which they were intended. The warmer work of Bernard Rose springs to mind.

The composer uses shifts of time signature to follow the nuances of the texts rather than forcing the words into a pre-determined musical mould. This lends an atmosphere of plainsong to several pieces, most notably in Come, Thou Everlasting Spirit, which begins with a passage for a single voice, Tenor or Soprano.

This is not soporific music, however. There are moments of real exultation especially with the final Alleluias of Not a Thought. This piece brings to mind shades of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence and Tchaikovsky’s Hymn to the Trinity.

This set of pieces is to be recommended. To find in one cover pieces which serve this special need so well is a boon. They will make a good set for a recital or as Introits for various occasions. The typesetting is wonderfully clear and the cover furnished with an effective drawing of All Hallows Parish Church, to whose Choir they are dedicated.’

Mick Perrier writing in the Birmingham Diocesan Music Rag

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