WILL TODD I have been extremely fortunate to have been From that first commission followed OperaGenesis The Call of Wisdom championed by John Studzinski and his Genesis workshops at the Royal Opera House of my opera Foundation and to have been consistently supported Pusila, leading to a second Genesis commission. by such a perceptive individual and organisation. This was for a choral piece based on a Padre Choral Works by Will Todd (b.1970) Artists need support for their voices to be heard Pio prayer Stay With Me, Lord also performed by 1 The Lord is My Shepherd [4.48] and I am grateful and humbled by the opportunities Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, this time Genesis have offered me. I was commissioned by at a packed Westminster Cathedral alongside 2 Stay With Me, Lord [7.44] the Genesis Foundation to write Among Angels for Padre Pio commissions from James MacMillan 3 The Call of Wisdom [5.12] performance by Harry Christophers and The Sixteen and Roxanna Panufnik. It gives me immense 4 Man Unkind [5.09] in Salzburg in celebration of John’s 50th birthday. satisfaction that the Padre Pio CD has received 5 My Lord Has Come [3.25] This was the beginning of our relationship and praise from around the world and that my setting 6 That We May Love Again [6.21] I’ll never forget my first meeting with John when has been performed and enjoyed by choirs and he quizzed me in depth about angels, choral congregations all over the country. 7 Vidi Speciosam [7.03] textures and many other things both musical and spiritual. I came away with my head reeling My friendship and collaboration with John Among Angels but determined to create as strong a piece of Studzinski and the Genesis Foundation has been 8 Part 1: Fear Not [5.35] choral music as possible. I wanted it to be worthy inspiring and nurturing. Quite simply, neither 9 Part 2: Find only Joy [3.08] of John, but also for the music to be as expressive commission included on this recording could 0 Part 3: Seek out Light [5.54] as possible and to touch people, and as someone have been brought to life without their vision with a lifelong love of choral music that opportunity and support. On this disc these pieces are paired q You Have Seen the House Built [5.42] to work with a top quality chamber choir like with other favourites from my choral repertoire, w I Sing Because… [6.39] The Sixteen was a dream come true. Among Angels in several cases featuring new arrangements for has gone on to be one of my most popular and the recording. Total timings: [66.46] critically acclaimed compositions, with several recordings and many performances since the © Will Todd, 2012 premiere in 2006. TENEBRAE ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA NIGEL SHORT, CONDUCTOR www.signumrecords.com www.willtodd.com - 3 - TEXTS 2 Stay With Me, Lord the sorrows, Lord, temptation. for upper voices, this disc features the SATB O Jesus, I need you to hold me in this night of exile. version of this lyrical anthem. 1 The Lord is My Shepherd Commissioned by the Genesis Foundation and first performed I ask no comfort but your staying, by The Sixteen in Westminster Cathedral, London in June, 2008, conducted by Harry Christophers. your love, your will, your light, your spirit. Lord of wisdom, Lord of truth, From Te Deum (2009). I ask no other consolation. Lord of justice, Lord of mercy; This was another incredible opportunity – to work I ask no other gift but love. walk beside us down the years This setting was written as the fourth movement with the Genesis Foundation to write music to set Let me perceive you as your disciples till we see you in your glory. of my 2009 Te Deum, which was commissioned by the powerful prayer of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, in the breaking of bread. Striving to attain the heights, Vivace Chorus, conducted by Jeremy Backhouse. It ‘Stay with me, Lord’. In its original 2008 version May your Eucharist be the breaking of the day, turning in a new direction, was originally performed by a choir of 120 school Stay With Me, Lord was written for piano the joy of my heart. entering a lonely place, children in Guildford Cathedral and has since been accompaniment, but here strings and harp replace Lord, end this night of exile, welcoming a friend or stranger. used frequently in worship. the piano, adding further to the richness of the and at my death stay with me, I am here, I am with you. I have called: if not in bread, in grace and love. words, which have been so beautifully developed do you hear me? The Lord is my shepherd, and poeticized by Ben Dunwell. Silver is of passing worth, therefore can I lack nothing. Words by Ben Dunwell, based on a prayer by St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968). gold is not of constant value, He makes me lie down in green pastures Stay with me, Lord, for you are my life, jewels sparkle for a while; and leads me beside still waters. my strength and my faith, my passion and light. 3 The Call of Wisdom what you long for is not lasting. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Lord, stay lest I forget you, Rulers govern under me Though I walk through the valley abandon you, fall in the dark. Commissioned by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral for the with my insight and my wisdom. of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen, with generous sponsorship by O Lord, my soul is poor, but let it be a home for you. Those who know me know my love, for you are with me, The Worshipful Company of Horners. Stay with me, Lord, that I may see your will. those who seek me find their answer. your rod and your staff comfort me. Stay with me, O my Lord, that I may hear your voice. On June 5th 2012 this piece was presented on the God the Father and the Son, You are my shepherd. Stay with me, that I may love you. occasion of a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Holy Spirit coeternal. Surely your goodness Stay with me, Lord, that I may be true. Cathedral for the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Glory be ascribed to you, and loving mercy shall follow me Stay, Jesus, stay, for the day is late, Elizabeth II. It was performed by the specially now and to the end of ages. all the days of my life. and night comes quickly. auditioned Diamond Choir, formed of children Words by Michael Hampel (based on Proverbs 8). Words from Psalm 23. Judgement and death, eternity come; from all over the UK, alongside the choristers of Lord, strengthen me. St Paul’s Cathedral and the Chapel Royal, I fear the dark, the Cross, conducted by Andrew Carwood. Originally written - 4 - - 5 - 4 Man Unkind 1’ was first published (bringing enduring favourites 6 That We May Love Again and bless the birth of every child to the choral world, including Sir David Willcocks’ that lights our way to God. From St Cuthbert (1996) by Will Todd and Ben Dunwell. memorable descant to O Come, All Ye Faithful and From Te Deum (2009). his beautiful arrangement of Away in a Manger). Words by Ben Dunwell Durham Cathedral contains the tomb of the I was delighted that my carol My Lord Has Come This moving poem is the third movement of revered Northumbrian mystic, Saint Cuthbert, who was chosen by current editors Bob Chilcott and my Te Deum setting. In it Ben Dunwell makes 7 Vidi Speciosam died in 687. It was at Durham Cathedral that our David Blackwell to be included in the new edition. a passionate plea for forgiveness and escape oratorio St Cuthbert was first performed in 1996, Such an exciting moment, as I have wonderful from the enduring horrors of war. It is a poem of Commissioned by Felicitas and there conductor Simon Winters on the occasion of the choir’s 20th anniversary. as part of the 900th anniversary of the arrival of memories of singing music from the earlier darkness but also of intense hope for the future. St Cuthbert’s body. Carols for Choirs books in my formative years. Dead my daughter, dead my son. Vidi speciosam sicut columbam ascendentem Man unkind, what mercy shall you find Shepherds, called by angels, Dead my lover, wrapped in cloth and laid in earth. desuper rivos aquarum; when you are tried? called by love and angels: O Lord, bring peace to the hearts of war and hate. cuius inaestimabilis odor erat Man, have mercy. No place for them but a stable. O Lord, give rest to the taken ones nimis in vestimentis eius. Your Saviour’s face was shown My Lord has come. whose peace will come too late. Et sicut dies verni from heav’n above Sages, searching for stars, We who have the most to tell circumdabant eam flores to teach us that the grace of man is love. searching for love in heaven; have no voice to speak. rosarum et lilia convallium. Poor mankind, what mercy shall you find No place for them but a stable. We who have the most to weep Quae est ista quae ascendit per desertum when you are tried? My Lord has come. have no tears to let.