Choral Works
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 • CHORAL WORKS
FRANK VAN NIMWEGEN
12 Motets divers
for SATB
'12 Motets divers' is considered to be closely related to 'Motets grégoriens', written by the same composer. The motets are, however, not restricted by 'literal' Gregorian themes. Yet in some motets the 'Gregorian ideas' are prominently present. The (severe) polyphonic Renaissance style, a distinct source of inspiration for Frank van Nimwegen, is also found in these works. With the motet 'Ascendo ad patrem meum' (for Ascension Day) for example it is great to listen, but also read the score, as the voices imitatively 'accumulate' and then, through a phased polyphony, actually rise.

Difficulty: C
Order number: 22089 € 9,05

 FRANK VAN NIMWEGEN
Te Deum Laudamus
for SATB and organ,
2 Trumpets, F Horn, 2 Trombones and Bb Bass
One of the oldest liturgical hymns of the Western church. It probably originated in the first centuries of the Christian era. There is a legend about its creation which says that St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and Church Father St. Augustine alternately sang the lines of this hymn at the baptism of St. Augustine in 387 AD. That's why the hymn also has been known as the 'Ambrosian Hymn'. It was however not written by St. Ambrose. The hymn is ascribed to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana, who lived in Dacia during the fifth century. It's very likely that various people have contributed to it, and that the oldest parts stem from the third century.
The Te Deum had established itself in the Divine Office as early as the sixth century. The Te Deum is sung following the first Responsory of the last Nocturn of the Matins (Virgilae Nocturnae). There are obvious similarities between the rhythmical prose of the Te Deum and the psalms. An example of this can be found in the 'parallelimus membrorum', a reiteration of a sentence in different words, which has been used in the psalms as well as in the Te Deum. There are also affinities to the Gloria and the Sanctus from the Mass. In the final verses we find a compilation of psalm quotes taken from psalms 28, 145, 33 and 31.

Difficulty : C
Order number : 22084
Full score : € 17,20
Vocal score : € 5,65

FRANK VAN NIMWEGEN
20 Motets grégoriens
for SATB
The ’20 motets grégoriens’, written for an unaccompanied mixed choir, were created from 1990 onward. His love for Gregorian music, an extremely rich musical treasure and the classical Latin formulations were a rewarding source of inspiration for Frank van Nimwegen while writing these works; you could say after the example of Maurice Duruflé and the Dutch composer Jos van Amelsvoort from Brabant. The often striking literal quotations of the Gregorian melodies are, taking into account the ’free’ rythm, purposefully incorporated in both simple homophonic four-part arrangements and complicated polyphonic textures, usually for more than four choral parts. In the relationship between the Gregorian, the severe polyphonic and the imitative technics like a round and ricercare, van Nimwegen shows great expertise in regard to the contrapuntal processing of this abundant melodic material, which keeps it current and alive within a historic perspective. In this he shows his affinity, as an inhabitant of the Dutch southern border area, with the polyphonic schools of the Renaissance Southern Netherlands. Still the musical idiom is surprisingly ’contemporary’ but also gentle on the ears. From various titles you can tell that several old religious songs, mainly ’dated’hymns from an abundant past, have been taken out from under the dust by van Nimwegen, and he has given them new life. Hopefully these motets will find their way to the churches, but they will also perfectly suit a vocal concert programme.

Difficulty : C
Order number : 22041 € 12,50

 RICHARD FRANCIS
Te Deum and Benedictus
for SATB and organ
Difficulty : D-E
Order number : 22106
Full score : € 15,90
Vocal score : € 4,95

FRANK VAN NIMWEGEN
3 Motets médiévals
for SATB
These three motets try to capture the spirit of 'old music' while using a relatively modern musical idiom.

Difficulty : C
Order number : 22102 € 4,50

 FRANK VAN NIMWEGEN
Songs of Nature
for SATB
The beauty of 16th century English poetry inspired van Nimwegen to write four very accessible choral songs in only two days. 'Spring, The Sweet Spring' (words, Thomas Nashe) is a fresh and cheerful work with a catching melody and rhythm, in which you also find bird song imitations.
'To Daffodils' (words, Robert Herrick) is a work which, in a typical English idiom, musically expresses the relative brevity of existence. 'The Sweet Season' (words, Richard Edwardes) is a characteristic work which celebrates the month of May and in which the 'Medieval flavour' predominates the music. 'While She Lies Sleeping' (words, anonymous) concludes the series. The music wonderfully illustrates de beauty and depth of the words.

Difficulty : C
Order number : 22085 € 6,75
FRANK VAN NIMWEGEN
5 Motets accompagnés
for SATB and organ
The ’5 motets accompagnés’ were created between 1996 and 1999 for his own practical use. In these we also find some typical characteristics which Frank van Nimwegen integrates in his secred music: like the Gregorian music or melody and a preference for polyphonic structures.

Difficulty : B-C
Order number : 22028 € 6,75
FRANK VAN NIMWEGEN
Four Anthems
for SATB and organ
These were written from 1997 till 2001 and they express the affinity van Nimwegen has with the English choral music and the British choral tradition.
The first and third work, which are mentioned above, are for choir and organ and they remind us the popular and extremely melodic style of John Rutter and Malcolm Archer.
’Christ the Lord is risen again’ for soprano and unaccompanied mixed choir, reveals the influence of and the admiration for the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. The final anthem ’My shepherd is the Lord’, for choir and organ, was dedicated to the ’King’s College Choir’ of Cambridge. A typical English work in the cathedral styl of a Charles Villiers Stanford.

Difficulty : B-C
Order number : 22036 € 9,05		 EUWE DE JONG
The Roden Hymns Collection
for SATB and organ
During the summer of 2000 the Dutch Roden Boys Choir, conducted by Bouwe R. Dijkstra, sang as a visiting choir in some of the finest English cathedrals and colleges. Evensongs, Matins, Eucharists and concerts were sung in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Salisbury Cathedral, St. Paul's Cathedral, Southwark Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral Oxford and Clare College Cambridge. Euwe de Jong, organist of the choir, has written several arrangements of English hymns for that occasion. This is a collection of a number of these works.

The arrangements are based on the Anglican liturgical style, with some alternative harmonisations and a descant line for the trebles in the last stanza.

An important reason for publishing these arrangements is Bouwe R. Dijkstra's 40th anniversary as a choirmaster. The Roden Hymns Collection was presented to him during a gala concert at the 'Der Aa-Kerk' in Groningen on 26 May 2002.

Difficulty : C
Order number : 22075 € 9,05