Mark Keane

In Grown about by fragrant bushes, Skempton sets a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson using gentle, lilting melodies. The theme of loss is sensitively conveyed in a tonal language that is made more expres...

The strong homophonic opening of this motet, in honour of St Michael the Archangel, the defender in battle against all things evil, makes an impactful statement, before exploring the intricate weaving...

Ante luciferum genitus is the first antiphon of Lauds for the Feast of the Epiphany and culminates with cascading, descending 'alleluia's. Originally scored for lower voices, the motet is presented he...

Likely to date from the early part of the composer's career, this motet has a relentlessly dense texture, but the clever use of well-shaped phrases and dynamics, informed by the text, leads to an exci...

Victoria captures the sorrow of the Passion by sustained homophonic writing from the start and subtle points of imitation. The use of a descending melodic line depicting the sorrow of the text is one...

The darkness evoked in this piece mirrors not only the title word 'Tenebrae', but also the intense grief of the crucifixion, as Jesus gives up his spirit.

This joyful motet begins with a compelling homophonic opening, before exploring imitative writing between all voices. A contrasting motif of descending scales is introduced halfway through to reflect...

The piece is suitable for regular worship services but most often at special praise services, choral liturgies, and musical feasts, and for recognizing the work of church musicians.

Jackson's Cantus Maris Baltici ('Songs of the Baltic Sea') is a rich and imaginative setting of poems from each of the three Baltic countries. It displays innovative choral textures and is a rewarding...

A spirited carol, colourful and highly original.

The vocal ranges of the Marian motet Ave Maria are best suited to two sopranos, due to the frequent crossing of the two upper parts, and an alto. The composer's notation has been transposed up a fourt...

Pulsating rhythms underpin this energetic arrangement of a traditional spiritual. The voice parts progress from a forthright rendition of the famous tune at the beginning to bold and exciting harmonie...

Sheppard's Magnificat for four voices is found only in the Gyffard partbooks. Its structure uses the alternatim technique, rotating choral sections with the Tone I chant. The chant provided here is th...

This expansive piece requiring 24 singers sets an anonymous 16th-century text of supplication to St Cecilia. From the cascading imitation of its opening to the monolithic triads of its close, it remai...

This setting of Psalm 95, written for Truro Cathedral Choir, was shortlisted for a BASCA British Composer Award 2013. Evocative and subtle in its use of colour and texture, the piece has independent o...

A single movement for bassoon exploring the potential of an instrument much neglected in solo music.

An accompaniment for orchestra without organ is also available. Full scores, vocal scores, and instrumental parts are available on hire. The first movement of Gloria is available separately under the...

O Come, Emmanuel is an Advent Celebration, suitable for both church and concert choirs. It is based on the seven Great 'O' Antiphons, and fragments of the well-known plainsong hymn permeate the work....

A Gaelic Blessing is one of John Rutter's best-loved choral works, and now, thanks to the composer's own highly sensitive arrangement, it is available to organists to play as a gently expressive inter...

The Shipping Forecast is in 3 movements: 'Donegal', 'They that go down to the sea in ships', and 'Naming'. The first and last movement are settings of poems by the poet, broadcaster, and academic, Seá...

This expressive anthem brings together excerpts from the gospels that express God's commandment to mankind to love one another. Underpinned by a flowing piano or organ accompaniment, Love one another...

Francisco Guerrero was born in Seville in 1528 and attained an excellent reputation as a composer throughout Europe during his lifetime. In the Divine Office this text is a responsory for Christmas Da...

Clemens composed two settings of the Marian text Ego flos campi, one scored for mixed choir of seven voices and this other, more intimate, setting for three voices. Here the voices weave beautiful cou...

Skilful word-painting and rhythmic energy makes this attractive Epiphany motet by Agostino Agazzari an appealing choice for Christmastide. Offprinted from The Oxford Book of Upper-Voice Polyphony.