Gabriel Jackson

Ane Sang of The Birth of Christ

New Horizons showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative, and occasionally challenging choral music being written today. It encompasses the whole gamut of small-scale choral genres, both secular and sacred, and includes pieces for upper-voice and mixed choirs. With titles by some of the most accomplished choral composers active in Great Britain and abroad, the series introduces new repertoire and fresh talent to a broad spectrum of choirs. New Horizons features composers with growing reputations for quality composition reflecting a strong individual voice. The series is continually expanding and should be the first place to look for attractive and performable contemporary choral music. Inspired by a 16th-century Scots text, Jackson has composed a memorable carol full of character and beauty. The choir is serenaded throughout by the organ, which imitates the haunting qualities of the bagpipes - full of ornamentation and extemporized flourishes. In contrast, the vocal lines are written with daring purity of the kind found in the earliest forms of melody. Choirs will relish this very special carol.