Howard's Choral Music

Eternal Light: A Requiem (dedicated website)

Eternal Light: A Requiem at Faber Music

Howard's compositions include both sacred and secular choral music. A selection of his music from both categories is available on CD, details of which are given on the CD page of this site. All of Howard's music is now published by Faber Music.

Winter Lullabies (upper voices and harp)

Published by Faber Music February 2007 and on CD, [CCL CDG 1155] performed by the boys of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford, directed by Stephen Darlington, with Catrin Finch on harp. 'Winter Lullabies' is a beautiful cycle of six loosely interwoven movements. Although the story of the nativity lies at the core of the work - celebrating motherhood and the different moods that might be embraced by a lullaby - it also explores associated secular issues of homelessness, displacement and flight, showing the relevance that this timeless story continues to have for our modern lives.

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd (SATB)
Howard's setting of Psalm 23, the theme to the TV series The Vicar of Dibley, has proved to be an extremely popular piece of music in its own right. Howard's intention in writing the theme had always been to write a piece of church music which could have a life of its own, beyond the series, and this has certainly been fulfilled in Psalm 23.

"Anyone who thinks about the BBC programme The Vicar of Dibley, is likely to focus on one of two things: the dry wit and humour of Dawn French or the now instantly recognisable theme tune The Lord is my Shepherd by Howard Goodall. Almost a nationally known work, the arrangement is now available in a most accessible form, published as part of the Faber New Choral Works Series. I have no doubt that it will be a hit with choirs and their audiences alike, and it will provide a reasonably straightforward, light-hearted programme item, appropriate to a variety of occasions. Accompanied by piano or organ (string parts are also available from the publisher), the piece opens with a most lyrical, legato melody for solo soprano, repeated by tutti sopranos with simple yet effectiove harmonies for A, T and B, continuing in the warm, flowing style. A homophonic middle section, moving towards a more minor tonality, reflects the mood of the words 'Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil', and provides an effective contrast. A return to the original theme draws the work to a beautiful conclusion which, in the right circumstances, could provide a very spiritual moment. The piece makes only moderate demands on the singers in every respect, yet could have a long-lasting impact. It is certainly worth considering." George Adamson, 'Music Teacher' magazine October 2000.

Psalm 23 is published by Faber Music, in SATB format with optional string parts (ISBN 0-571-52048-0). Faber also feature a piano version of Psalm 23 in The Faber Book of TV Themes (ISBN 0-571-51753-6) and a version for alto saxophone in First Repertoire for Alto Saxophone (ISBN 0-571-51903-2). To place your order now, call their sales line on 01279 828982 or e-mail sales@fabermusic.com

Psalm 23 is available on several CDs. The original recording by Christ Church Cathedral Choir is on ASV's Howard Goodall Choral Works. It is also included on Bryn Terfel Sings Favourites, The Choirboys, and Joseph McManners' In Dreams.

There is an excellent New Zealand website, 'The Practical Dreamers Drop-in Centre', run by the Dunedin Methodist Community, which has a (lovely) review of this work.

Love Divine (SSAA or SATB versions)
Commissioned by the Choir Schools Association, Love Divine was premiered by Christ Church Cathedral Choir at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, on 26th February 2000. It features accompaniment for keyboard and strings, and is also published by Faber Music (ISBN SATB: 0-571-52044-8; SSAA: 0-571-52043-X)

"...this follows the style and spirit of the Dibley theme. It opens with a beautifully melodic soprano part, contrasting 3/4 and 4/4 times, supported by warm, effective 'Ahs' from the lower parts and, as the piece unfolds, it grows in spirit and intensity. The high point for me must surely be the imitative final section which grows to a 6-part texture. This in combination with increased dynamic and pitch gives rise to a most dramatic finale. Though the arrangement has moments of intimacy, warmth and also, at times, sheer drama, it is not beyond the technical capabilities of a moderately good school choir. The ranges will suit developing voices, part movement si straightforward and success can be achieved without the greatest of technical panache (though this would undoubtedly help!)." George Adamson, 'Music Teacher' magazine October 2000.

"...a real sense of joy in singing, though, came through for the first time at the end of the programme with Howard Goodall's celebratory Live Divine. There at last we heard the choir as we wanted to hear it, not merely ceremonial and distant, but rejoicing" Mark van de Voort in the Brabants Dagblad (The Netherlands), reviewing a concert in St John's Cathedral 's-Hertogenbosch by the Boys of St Paul's Cathedral directed by malcom Archer, 7th April 2005

Love Divine is available on the Remember Bethlehem CD.

Missa Aedis Christi (SATB)
Written in 1993, Howard's Mass was commissioned by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and premiered by the Cathedral Choir that year. Howard composed the work from the Sanctus onwards, which was inspired by the sound of bells he heard one August in the village of Embrun in Southern France. The Mass began to emerge from Howard's noting down of the sounds of the mingling of distant and nearby bells.

Howard decided to write the Mass for performance in Latin partly because he felt that so few contemporary masses were written in this way, and also because he felt strongly about the superiority of the language for singing. The Mass is written for double choir throughout, with a string quintet augmenting the organ.

Missa Aedis Christi is published by Faber Music (ISBN 0-571-52014-6). Full score versions (with strings and organ) can also be ordered (ISBN 0-571-52013-8).

It is available on the Howard Goodall Choral Works CD.

Marlborough Canticles (SATB)
Howard's setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis was commissioned by Marlborough College and completed in 1994. In describing the style of the canticles, Howard has said, "When it comes to Evening Canticles, I'm afraid I am an unashamed lover of the epic and the tuneful chestnuts of Stanford, Wesley, Walmisley et al, and apart from lapsing into a vaguely gospel Gloria in the Nunc Dimittis, I am true to those boyhood sweethearts. Stanford would never have sanctioned the gently swaying dance rhythms of these canticles, of course, but then he didn't have Stevie Wonder in his record collection, did he?"

The Marlborough Canticles are published by Faber Music (ISBN 0-571-51877-X); see above for ordering details.

It is available on the Howard Goodall Choral Works CD, and on the Faber New Choral Works CD.

In Memoriam Anne Frank and They Were Not Here (both SATB, piano & strings, with younger voice semichoir)
These two secular pieces were commissioned by Susan Digby of The Voices Foundation, an organisation whose aim is to rejuvenate children's singing in primary schools. Composed with mixed voices in mind, both pieces alternate sections of slow, chordal SATB writing with lilting dance patterns. Howard explains: "I felt strongly, in commemorating the 50th anniversary of Anne Frank's death in one case, and VE-Day in the other, that the sentiments were complicated, mixed ones for people living in another society and time, and in each case chose more than one text in an attempt to juxtapose the different elements and emotions". (A recording of it is on the CD Howard Goodall Choral Works)

In Memoriam Anne Frank was heard recently at the National Holocaust Memorial Day Event, sung by The Voices Foundation Choir and Laudibus. It is published by Faber Music (ISBN 0-571-51931-8).

"Set to sung texts by Christina Rossetti, Robert Louis Stevenson and Richard Lovelace, the piece opens simply: unaccomapnied, homophonic, straightforward rhthyms and melodies (marked very slowly and gently) with some interesting harmonic writing. Overall, this creates an inspired opening, so effective in its mood and suited to the text 'Remember me when I am gone away'. A syncopated accompaniment gives rise to a second contrasting motif after which a soprano semi-chorus present the first theme, diminished in its rhythm, against a broader, augmented version beneath in the SATB parts. The contrasting rhythmical writing here is particularly effective.

As the piece unfolds, these motifs are subjected to a variety of inspired treatments, including assorted textures and keys. This leads the work to an almost completely unison conclusion and a repetition of the opening melody and words....It is a work of depth and would require a sensitivity in its performance in order to capture the true spirit of the text. I would recommend it for serious consideration." George Adamson, 'Music Teacher' magazine October 2000.

In Memoriam Anne Frank is on the Howard Goodall Choral Works CD.

Festival Jubilate Deo, for the choir of St David's Cathedral Wales, published by Faber.

Spared, based on Wendy Cope's poem about 9/11, for the Methodist College Belfast Chapel Choir (premiere October 27th 2005 in St Anne's Cathedral Belfast)

Of the dark past, for the Choir of King's School Canterbury (first performance December 14th 2005 in Canterbury Cathedral), in memory of Lucy Holland

Ecce Mater Tua, for the Schola Cantorum of the Cathedral of St John, s'Hertogenbosch, Holland (first performance November 6th 2005) Now recorded and available on CD here: Muziek Uit de Sint-Janskathedraal VIII.

We Are God's Labourers, for the Installation of the new Dean of Christ Church, Oxford (October 4th 2003. For SATB, solo tenor, organ, piano, harp, violin & cello)

O Lord God of Time and Eternity, for the Service of Remembrance for Iraq at St Paul's Cathedral London, October 10th 2003.

The Dawn, the fire, the rainbow and the day, for Kingsland Youth Choir, first performed at Ocean Arts Centre Hackney. Commissioned by The Voices Foundation

I am not I, for Putney 1885 Singers

 

To See Another Sun, for St Mary's Barnes (First performance September 2003. For SATB, organ & band)

As Angels in some brighter dreams, for the Shrewsbury Chorale (NJ, USA), in fond memory of Brian Aschinger (above), a great friend and champion of Howard's work in the USA, who died on July 18th 2001.

Just a Tale (SAB & piano) is a beautiful Christmas song for young people, with words by Stephen Clark, available in the Faber Carol Book (ISBN 0-571-52007-3). A recording of this can be found on the CD Christmas with Cantamus, available from their website.

I am hope and Love will find out the way (community songs) are both available (SAB & piano) from The Royal School of Church Music, as part of RSCM's Songs For Life volume 2 (ISBN 0-85402-106-X). I am hope is also available seperately. Orders can be made for these titles at RSCM Music Direct, who be contacted on +44 (0)845 021 7726, or by email at musicdirect@rscm.com, or online at www.rscm.com/shop.

I believe in the sun, a song for young voices, commissioned by the BBC and first performed & broadcast live at Britain's inaugural National Holocaust Day, January 27th, 2001. It is a setting of an anonymous text found written (originally in French) on the wall of a cave in Cologne where Jews had been hiding. Click on the song title above to view & download its score (Sibelius Scorch).

Salisbury Canticles (FOR UPPER VOICES & ORGAN; click title to view score)

Salisbury Cathedral Girl Choristers have recorded Howard's Salisbury Canticles and his Psalm 23 (Vicar of Dibley) setting on a new CD, 'ANGELS' SONG', (picture below) on Griffin (GCCD4020 CD). The choir director is Simon Lole. It's a lovely CD. Griffin's website can be found here. Click here to view the (Sibelius Scorch) score of the canticles.

Howard's Christmas Carols include:
Romance of the Angels (Spanish language version) Romance of the Angels (English language version)
Romance of the Epiphany (Spanish language version) Romance of the Epiphany (English language version)
Der Wind auf leeren Strassen :: Remember Bethlehem (SATB arrangement of Jake Thackray's Christmas song, originally commissioned by The Kings' Singers) An optional keyboard accompaniment is separately available for this.

Howard's latest Christmas carol compositions can be found on two new CD releases, both available from Amazon.co.uk. For further details visit the CDs page... :

'REMEMBER BETHLEHEM: Carols for a New Millennium' was released November 2000 on Metronome, (MET CD 1044) including four of Howard's new carols (Romance of the Epiphany, Der Wind auf leeren Strassen, Love Divine, and his arrangement of Jake Thackery's Remember Bethlehem). The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford is conducted by Stephen Darlington. BBC Radio 3's Review programme chose it as the best of the new Christmas CDs.

Visit CD page now...

Additional pieces which are available for performance include the following:

For SATB: including songs from the CD We Are the Burning Fire
Arrangements of folksongs from around the world:

A la Nanita Nana :: Bium Bium Bamba :: Blow the wind southerly :: Tutu Maramba ::

De Tous Cotes que Je Me Tourne (Adieu, ma belle):: Kou-Jou-No tsuki:: O Waly Waly

Polegnala e Todora :: Rosla Kalina :: Roslein, Roslein :: She Moved Through the Fair

The Lark in the Clear Air :: Three African Songs :: Shule Aroon :: Skibareen

Danny Boy :: The Black Velvet Band :: Roisin Dubh :: Two Italian Lullabies (for SSAA)

Carrickfergus :: Oy Pidu ya dolom :: 3 Hungarian Folksongs (for men's voices)

3 Hungarian Folksongs (for women's voices SSAA)

Other SATB songs include The Promised Garden, a special commission (one of five by living British composers) for the 21st anniversary of the Vasari Singers in May 2001. The beautiful text is by Irish poet Theo Dorgan.

Seek those things which are above, Millennium Commission for St John's School Leatherhead

Ring out ye Crystal Spheres, for the 75th Anniversary of Stowe School

Pieces for upper voices:
A la Nanita Nana click on the song title to view score (Sibelius Scorch)

Two Italian Lullabies click on the song title to view score (Sibelius Scorch)

Salisbury Canticles (score for view here) (Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis)

The dawn, the fire, the rainbow and the day (SSAA version)

Three Hungarian Folksongs (SSAA)

Dover Beach (sung by Cantamus Girls' Choir, above)

Cantamus Girls' Choir also gave the world premiere of a new piece written for them by Howard, The Long Garden, on October 7th 2001 in Southwell Minster, and are also dedicatees of The Good Morrow.

Love will find out the way
The Long Trail - commissioned by Scunthorpe Borough Council & first performed by Sue Hollingworth's Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir
The Time of Lilies - for the chamber choir of the Arts Educational School Tring Park
For Faithfulness (unacc) - for the Madrigal Society of Sherborne School for Girls
Soft Stillness and the Night (unacc.)
Just a Tale (for Christmas) - BT Voices for Hospices commission
One Choice Away - VE Day UK Government commission

For massed choirs:

I believe in the Sun (for National Holocaust Memorial Day) (click to view score)

Amazing Grace (arranged for the opening ceremony of the Millennium Dome, Dec 31st 1999-Jan 1st 2000)

Psalm 122 'I Was Glad' (commissioned by Christopher Everett for Tonbridge School, 1992)

Arrangements for the Kings Singers:

All the Queen's horses (2002 BBC Proms Commission, text by U A Fanthorpe)
Star of the County Down (on the King's Singers CD Watching the White Wheat)
Scarborough Fair (on the King's Singers CD Annie Laurie)
Johann-Song (commissioned for Leipzig Bach-Fest 2000)

For further information by email on any of the above works, please contact Faber Music, or click here.

[photo of Christ Church Choir & Stephen Darlington by Lianne Hentscher]