Keywords: RSCM

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

Adam Lay Ybounden was written for The Lucian Singers and premiered at the Lessons and Carols service in 2011, with the composer as Director. The harmonic language pays homage to the ancient text, and the unison verses are chant-like before the bloom of the four-part refrains.’

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

This well-loved text, often referred to as the “Shepherd’s Psalm” offers the promise of comfort and solace in times of turmoil and distress. It is often paraphrased and sung as a hymn or sung in chant.

Here Australian composer John Nickson’s setting is more in the form of an unaccompanied motet, suitable for choral performance within liturgical or concert settings.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

A lyrical organ part introduces a simple soprano motive that opens into SATB passages rich with suspensions to add extra warmth to familiar, pastoral harmony.

Imagine the feeling of motherly love that must have overwhelmed the virgin Mary when her cousin Elizabeth praised her! This Ave Maria was composed to evoke such feelings of love, gratitude, joy and glory. Let its self-saucing simplicity of means warm your soul and lift your heart – perfect for Advent, Christmas or a wedding.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

Nunc Dimittis (Opus 89) was written in 2011 in response to a commission from the Brisbane Chamber Choir who had already performed Andrew Schultz’s Magnificat and wanted to have Nunc Dimittis to perform with the earlier work. The setting of the text parallels the dramatic flow of the original text, The Song of Simeon. The work moves from a world of clouded uncertainty through exultation and revelation to a final passage of transcendent simplicity and tranquillity.  Marked ‘Flowing’ the Nunc Dimittis is similar to Magnificat in the tempo and meter (3/2) and in the ebb and flow between four and eight part vocal writing. The first performance of Nunc Dimittis was given by the Brisbane Chamber Choir conducted by Graeme Morton at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane, in August 2012.

Listen now

Duration: approximately 5 minutes

Magnificat (Opus 79) sold separately was composed over the summer of 2008-2009. The work is an a cappella setting of the Latin Vulgate text and was written in response to a commission from the Sydney Chamber Choir.  Marked ‘Calm and gentle – with flow’ the score carries an inscription from Emily Bronte’s poem of creativity, Last Lines, “No coward soul is mine.”

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

Magnificat (Opus 79) was composed over the summer of 2008-2009.  The work is an a cappella setting of the Latin Vulgate text and was written in response to a commission from the Sydney Chamber Choir. Marked ‘Calm and gentle – with flow’ the score carries an inscription from Emily Bronte’s poem of creativity, Last Lines, “No coward soul is mine.” The first performance of Magnificat, was given by the Sydney Chamber Choir conducted by Graham Abbott at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney, 6 September 2009.

Listen now

Duration: approximately 8 minutes

Nunc Dimittis (Opus 89) is sold separately and was written in 2011 in response to a commission from the Brisbane Chamber Choir who had already performed Andrew Schultz’s Magnificat and wanted to have Nunc Dimittis to perform with the earlier work. The setting of the text parallels the dramatic flow of the original text, The Song of Simeon. The work moves from a world of clouded uncertainty through exultation and revelation to a final passage of transcendent simplicity and tranquillity. Marked ‘Flowing’ the Nunc Dimittis is similar to Magnificat in the tempo and meter (3/2) and in the ebb and flow between four and eight part vocal writing.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

Winchester Service – Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis

These canticles, suited for mixed voices and organ, premiered on May 6 2023 in the Winchester Cathedral. Joseph Twist comments, “It fascinates me that the words of the Magnificat were considered by some to be so radical that they were banned in some parts of the world. Believed to be the words of Mary, phrases like “filled the hungry,” “exalted the humble and meek” and “the rich sent empty away” resonate with me, and I believe they resonate with many people today just as they have for centuries, despite the bans. There is also a great sense of storytelling to the text, as these phrases take us from one idea to the next, ultimately offering a sense of peace and contentment, then reaffirmed by the uplifting words of the Nunc Dimittis. I’ve endeavoured to convey this story with music that rises and falls, contrasted by more static choral sonorities and underpinned by a gentle perpetuum mobile organ accompaniment. At the conclusion of each canticle, “Amen” takes us to a place that is vast, peaceful, and celestial. It is my hope that these canticles may offer a uniquely Australian response to a text that has echoed throughout churches and cathedrals for centuries.

Winchester Cathedral Choir Recording of Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis – Conducted by Andrew Lumsden and Organist Claudi Grinnell

Magnificat:

Nunc Dimittis:

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

“Where charity and love are, God is there.”

Composer Joseph Twist writes…

A commemoration of Jesus Christ for Holy Thursday, for me, the Ubi Caritas has a few significant dimensions; the warmth of Christ’s love, the adoration and mystery of the holy spirit, and the idea of an ‘inclusive, universal’ celebration. Accordingly, my Ubi Caritas reflects this through contrasts in harmonic language, at times chromatic or mysterious, at other times diatonic or pentatonic, reflecting Christ’s love, as well as the influence of modal harmony from Eastern Europe and Africa. Similarly, contrasts in rhythm and texture are incorporated. The calm, sparse music which bookends the work is countered with rhythmic, syncopated music in a kind of ritualistic exultation.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

The text, based on a traditional Celtic blessing, reminds us of the companionship of Christ and parallels our life’s journey with his. It is suitable as a doxology in church services, a blessing in Christian weddings, an act of dedication in baptisms and confirmations, a graduation blession or a moment of musical calm within a choral concert. This piece can provide comfort in times of personal stress and reassurance of the chosen journey through life. It ends with a beautiful and expressive setting of Amen, providing a moment of quietly confident affirmation.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

This Antiphon is from the Catholic Requiem Mass at the time when the body is carried out of the Church.

The English translation is:
May the angels lead thee into paradise: may the martyrs receive thee at thy coming, and lead thee into the holy city of Jerusalem.
May the choir of angels receive thee, and mayest thou have eternal rest with Lazarus, who once was poor.
(From the Saint Andrew Daily Missal, Bruges, 1957)

This In Paradisum was first sung at the funeral of my twin brother, Peter. I began writing the music the day Peter died. The Geelong, St Mary’s Choir sang this work at Peter’s funeral some days later.

For this composer, the ‘angels’ are all those who assist the dying person and their families at these times of sorrow, anguish and loss. © 2017

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) through the Other Countries link.

“Arise my love, my fair one” was written in 2012 for the service at St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane commemorating the 20th anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Australia. Flowing lines rise gradually towards the “fragrance” to which the text refers later, the blooming and blossoming of spring and the heralding of a new dawn, for the ministry of women and men. The middle section exhorts in dramatic homophony which gradually calms to release “fragrance”, and then repeats the ideas of the opening. The piece dies away, as if lover and beloved were disappearing into a mist (or a cloud of incense!).

The above recording features St Peter’s Chorale (2013), directed by Kathryn Morton. Or click here to watch a recording from St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane (2013), directed by Graeme Morton.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

The original SATB version of Mater Dolorosa was composed for conductor Jillian McGregor and the Corinthian Singers of Adelaide for a Good Friday concert in the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Radford Auditorium in April, 2011. The work was subsequently revised and expanded (SSATBarB) in 2013, and was premiered by Adelaide Chamber Singers – conducted by Carl Crossin – at the Musica Sacra a Roma in Rome, Italy in July 2013. Mater Dolorosa is a setting of the first four stanzas of the 13th century Marian hymn Stabat Mater Dolorosa, a much longer poem which expresses Mary’s sorrow as she stood at the foot of the cross witnessing her son’s death by crucifixion.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

Lament is a piece for mixed choir and cello. The text comes from the 17th-century oratorio ‘Jephte’ by Giacomo Carissimi. The words are those of anguish, for Jephte promised to sacrifice the first thing he laid eyes upon if he returned victorious from war. He fulfilled this vow, even though this happened to be his only daughter.

The recording is of the Brisbane Chamber Choir, for whom the piece was written. The cellist is Gwyn Roberts.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

Boughen’s two part sacred piece for treble voice and organ is a reflective arrangement of the classic text. Suitable for an advanced choir of young voices.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

This “Victoria Triptych” was written in 2011, the 400th anniversary of the death of the great Spanish polyphonist, Thomas Luis de Victoria. For unaccompanied SATB choir, and with divided parts, these wonderful Latin motets remind us that the great motet tradition is still vibrant and flourishing. The individual titles are:

Versa est in Luctum

Lamentation of Jeremiah

Hombres, Victoria, Victoria!

Click the links above for score previews and recordings of each movement. Recordings feature the choir of St James King Street, Sydney (one of three commissioning choirs).

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

Orlovich has a keen ear for the way different texts resonate with each other. This piece uses the traditional Latin text Dulcis Jesu Memoria and Victor Carrell’s Voice of the River which draws on a series of images which address “love” as it is found in some of its myriad manifestations. Commissioned by Graeme Morton’s St Peters Chorale and suitable for a good high school or college choir. It could also be used in church situations as an anthem.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

An energetic rhythmic Gloria with alternative texts for Christmas and general use.

Demonstration Recording:
Gloria In Excelsis, Mark Puddy: Gulf Coast Youth Choir, Florida, Conducted by Lynne Gackle, 2001

Arrangement for SAB choir. For SA arrangement, contact admin@mortonmusic.com.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

An evocative setting of Tennyson’s text. Suitable for high school, community and church choirs.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

This carol for Christmas manages to combine several opposing concepts. It mentions the traditional winter cold of Christmas and the summer heat which is part of the Australian Christmas experience. It also combines “scat” syllables in a style which is definitely Classical. This piece can be sung by any church or college ensemble which sings the standard repertoire of Christmas. Highly recommended!

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

This is the ultimate in a flexible edition! Unison, SAA, TBB and SATB choirs can sing the music from this copy. Based on the old Dutch carol, McKinley’s accompaniment fairly bowls along in a quasi-Baroque style. An excellent addition to the sacred Easter repertoire for any choir.

New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link.

A wonderful piece which welcomes “the glorious blessing of light” asking us to “pour out our darkness into the glorious forgiving light”. Would suit a good college or church choir. It could also be used as an Epiphany anthem with a difference, since Epiphany appears in the middle of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

The recording is track number 08, from The Australian Voices’ CD, “The Listening Land”. Conducted by Graeme Morton.