Oxford University Press

The darkness evoked in this piece mirrors not only the title word 'Tenebrae', but also the intense grief of the crucifixion, as Jesus gives up his spirit.

Sun Dance is a slightly modified version of the fifth movement from the composer's Organ Dances. The music is for the most part celebratory in character, its spiky rhythms driven along by the pervasiv...

This joyful motet begins with a compelling homophonic opening, before exploring imitative writing between all voices. A contrasting motif of descending scales is introduced halfway through to reflect...

The piece is suitable for regular worship services but most often at special praise services, choral liturgies, and musical feasts, and for recognizing the work of church musicians.

The compositional style of this motet demonstrates word-painting and madrigal-like features. It opens with a duet that may reflect the word 'Duo' in the title, and the use of three voices at the start...

Jackson's Cantus Maris Baltici ('Songs of the Baltic Sea') is a rich and imaginative setting of poems from each of the three Baltic countries. It displays innovative choral textures and is a rewarding...

The motet Jesu, Rex admirabilis is largely homophonic, with only one phrase incorporating imitation. Its simplicity, however, makes it a useful Eucharistic motet in contemporary liturgy. It has been t...

A spirited carol, colourful and highly original.

The vocal ranges of the Marian motet Ave Maria are best suited to two sopranos, due to the frequent crossing of the two upper parts, and an alto. The composer's notation has been transposed up a fourt...

Pulsating rhythms underpin this energetic arrangement of a traditional spiritual. The voice parts progress from a forthright rendition of the famous tune at the beginning to bold and exciting harmonie...

This French traditional carol includes optional English lyrics which are translated by John Rutter himself. Orchestral scores and parts are also available. Offprinted from the collection Twelve Christ...

Sheppard's Magnificat for four voices is found only in the Gyffard partbooks. Its structure uses the alternatim technique, rotating choral sections with the Tone I chant. The chant provided here is th...

A lilting 3/4 metre carries the listener through this familiar Christmas story, beautifully depicted in a text by the composer. Rutter employs artful word-painting throughout, and the verse-refrain st...

This expansive piece requiring 24 singers sets an anonymous 16th-century text of supplication to St Cecilia. From the cascading imitation of its opening to the monolithic triads of its close, it remai...

This motet in two parts is devotional in character, with each section opening with homophonic writing before elaborating on close imitative polyphonic lines. The text is based on the first two stanzas...

This setting of Psalm 95, written for Truro Cathedral Choir, was shortlisted for a BASCA British Composer Award 2013. Evocative and subtle in its use of colour and texture, the piece has independent o...

A single movement for bassoon exploring the potential of an instrument much neglected in solo music.

An accompaniment for orchestra without organ is also available. Full scores, vocal scores, and instrumental parts are available on hire. The first movement of Gloria is available separately under the...

O Come, Emmanuel is an Advent Celebration, suitable for both church and concert choirs. It is based on the seven Great 'O' Antiphons, and fragments of the well-known plainsong hymn permeate the work....

A Gaelic Blessing is one of John Rutter's best-loved choral works, and now, thanks to the composer's own highly sensitive arrangement, it is available to organists to play as a gently expressive inter...

The Shipping Forecast is in 3 movements: 'Donegal', 'They that go down to the sea in ships', and 'Naming'. The first and last movement are settings of poems by the poet, broadcaster, and academic, Seá...

This expressive anthem brings together excerpts from the gospels that express God's commandment to mankind to love one another. Underpinned by a flowing piano or organ accompaniment, Love one another...

Fresh and unconventional, the setting includes witty references in the accompaniment to the music of Brahms, Offenbach, Tchaikovsky and other familiar tunes that allude to various gifts mentioned in t...

A simple and tender seeting of William Blake's famous poem, particularly suitable for younger voices.