Lux Benigna by Paul Mealor, with words by Gordon Graham, for SSSAAA choir with Piano accompaniment.

Alan Bullard's first Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, written for the choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, can be performed a cappella or with organ. Both movements feature pleasing tonal contrasts and have a distinctly folk-like feel. In this lyrical and expressive setting, the voices are often offset against each other in pairs, focussing the listener's attention on the text and highlighting by contrast the rich, powerful passages for full choir. The Selwyn Service is included on a CD by Selwyn College, Cambridge (Regent Records).

Many of the anthems in The Choral Collection are settings of words which Geoffrey Nobes has known for a long time. Most of the pieces are arrangements of songs which were originally written for the three CDs published by Kevin Mayhew and which have lent themselves to new treatments. All of them are reflections on the beauty and meaning of some profound and lovely words.

Thee We Adore by David Poole-Connor for unaccompanied SATB choir.

For more information on Ola Gjeilo, read our in-depth interview with the composer.Described by Ola Gjeilo as perhaps his most personal piece, Contrition sets a line of English text from George Herbert's poem Perseverance and excerpts from Psalm 101, in Latin. Contrition is here performed by the Central Washington University Chamber Choir:

Crucifixus by Paul Mealor is here presented in a version for Baritone solo, SATB choir and Organ accompaniment. Also available for solo baritone, SATB chorus and Piano (NOV293304).

Setting a popular text paraphrased from the Song of Solomon, Rise up, my love is an uplifting anthem ideal for Easter services, although the text's beautiful springtime imagery would also make a lovely feature in any concert programme. The work contains expressive word painting, with moments of intensity alongside phrases of utter stillness. There are opportunities for soloists, and the flexible scoring allows choirs to decide whether to perform the piece unaccompanied, with organ, or with piano. This anthem will be included on a forthcoming CD by Selwyn College, Cambridge (Regent Records).

O Be Joyful is a jubilant setting of Psalm 100 from the Book of Common Prayer. Suitable for performances throughout the church year, it features fluctuating time signatures, a lively tempo, and bright harmonies, which are underpinned throughout by a sparkling organ part.

This edition of the Salve Regina by Portuguese composer Diogo Dias Melgás (1638-1700) is the first published version of the work, which has previously only been available in a library edition. Suitable for liturgical or concert performance, this setting is in four equally active parts throughout, each of which takes the initial plainsong motif at the opening. The effectiveness of this moving work lies in the skilful manipulation of simple motivic material, through the use of devices such as parallel writing, sequences, repetition, suspensions, and hocket. The vocal score is presented alongside detailed performance and editorial notes, and an optional basso continuo part appears as an appendix. Salve Regina is featured on The Sixteen's CD 'A Goldern Age of Portugese Music', conducted by Harry Christophers (COR16020).

Ubi Caritas Et Amor taken from John Pickard's Three Latin Motets for unaccompanied SATB choir.