God Rest Ye: SATB: Vocal Score

For SATB Choir and Organ. Composed for the B.B.C broadcast coverage of the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother April 2002.

The Vocal Score for Judith Weir's Truly I Tell You a setting of three different Biblical passages from Psalms and Mark's gospel. This work was first performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey at theCommonwealth Day Observance on the 9th of March 2015. It is arranged for SSATB Chorus and Organ. Truly I Tell You is a setting of Psalms 8: 4-10 and 34: 1-4 and Mark 10: 15. The thread thatmarries these three texts together is the comparison between man and the name of God the literal exposition of the word of God (working beautifully within the context of such a brilliantly-composed piece of music) and thehopeful entering of God's kingdom in general. In the December 2015 edition of RSCM Church Music Quarterly Magazine the reviewer states that this piece is 'highly recommended' and is a 'useful churchanthem that is not too difficult'. Judith Weir is a British composer whose music often draws influence from her many extra-musical interests such as medieval history and Scottish traditionalmusic. In 2005 Weir received a CBE for her services to music and in 2014 she was appointed the Master of the Queen's Music becoming the first female holder of a post which dates back to 1626.

Soft expressive and thought provoking phrasing shape this lovely setting for unaccompanied voices. With an interesting use of the 5/8 time signature the melody flows endlessly and effortlessly.