Deane, ed. Evans: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

AVAILABLE SOON – FIRST EDITION

Listen to an excerpt (sung by the Brabant Ensemble, directed by Stephen Rice)
Buy the Hyperion CD recording "Chirk Castle Part Books Music"

Description

SAATB setting of the Grace, as used at the close of Evensong.

This setting of the well-known Grace is attributed to William Deane, Organist of Wrexham in the early 17th century. It has been edited by David Evans, Bangor University, North Wales.

The sources for this anthem are four surviving partbooks from Chirk Castle, labelled medius, countertenor, tenor and bass; a fifth volume was apparently already missing when the books were catalogued at Chirk in 1736 by the city merchant John Myddleton as ‘four books of anthems in musik’. They are now in the New York Public Library (US-NY Public Library, MS Mus. Res.*MNZ (Chirk)). The second voice part (from the missing fifth volume) has been reconstructed by the editor.

This short, accessible piece is ideally suited for the close of Evensong or any evening service, and would complement a service with music by Tudor or Jacobean composers such as Amner, Byrd, Gibbons, Mundy, Tallis, Tomkins, Tye and Weelkes.

This work has been broadcast by BBC Radio 3 Early Music Show and by BBC Radio Wales.
It also appears on a sung by the Brabant Ensemble, conducted by Stephen Rice. Gramophone reviewed the disc:

The new works are undoubtedly significant additions to the repertoire. On that count alone this recording is self-recommending … the predominant sonority is familiarly clear, transparent and assured … for the sake of the new pieces alone, lovers of this repertory will welcome this enthusiastically.

Listen to an excerpt (sung by the Brabant Ensemble, directed by Stephen Rice)
Buy the Hyperion CD recording "Chirk Castle Part Books Music"

Performance notes and critical apparatus

These will be available to download as a PDF in due course.

The text

This text has been said at the close of services and meetings for centuries...

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost
be with us all now and for evermore. Amen.

Difficulty level: **

This moderately easy piece will soon be available to purchase.
Please send us an email if you would like to be informed about its publication date: am5115(at)theartofmusic.co.uk