Anthem for Easter Day, with Questions, A Lullaby Carol

48pp.  27.00 × 19.00 cm.

In 2019, Sir Stephen Cleobury retired after half a century of greatly distinguished service to church music.A little part of that, happily, involved conducting and recording the collection of anthems by Francis and myself - and so it seemed fitting to write one more piece for him before his retirement. This piece is the Anthem for Easter Day. (as it happens, Easter remained unmarked in the collection, unless one counts the Anthem for Christ the King.)  Francis' text focused on a more personal, less overtly triumphant, quality to the Resurrection story, seen from the view of Mary Magdalen, and my setting tried to reflect that, from the somewhat sombre F minor opening of the first eight lines evoking shades of black and white to the anthem's gentle conclusion in colour and scents of that new sprint dawn.      David Goode

With a free CD which may be purchased from OxRecs

‘Questions: A Lullaby Carol’ was first performed during the Eton College Carol Service 2011 by the Chapel Choir. Director of Music: Tim Johnson. The recording was made by the choir on 15 January 2017.

The première of ‘Anthem for Easter Day’ was performed by the choir of King’s College in chapel on 12 May 2019. Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury, Organist Henry Websdale.

Issued in 2019 by OxRecs DIGITAL OXCD-148.