The Merton Service (Mixed Voice Choir and Organ) (EP73817)

Commissioned by Merton College, Oxford and sponsored by Nigel HamwayI was thrilled to be commissioned again by Merton College Choir, so soon after my anthem Nocturn for them - however, having already set the Canticles twice, I panicked a little about whether I could do something completely different with the same words. So, I sent a survey to the choir members, whom I had met on several happy occasions, as I knew that they would come up with some great ideas. And they did! I have tried to incorporate as many of their requests (in bold below) as I could and am so grateful for the musical ideas they inspired.Starting with a request for story-telling, the Magnificat (‘oscillating between uncertainty and excitement’), in D flat major, begins hesitantly with a sense of unease, as the Virgin Mary grapples with the momentous news that she is to bear God’s son. The mood swings between scared and excited through melisma and expression in rich and crunchy harmonies (trying to incorporate the lat