Magnificat and Nunc dimittis

for mixed chorus and organ

General Information – Performing Forces – Manuscript – Publication – Recordings – Text

General Information:

Composition:
Composed some time between July and November 1974. Revised immediately after its first performance in 1975.

First Performance:
14 June 1975. Chichester Cathedral. Choir of Chichester Cathedral, John Birch conductor, Ian Fox organ. Evensong service.

Duration:
About 6 minutes
[Magnificat: about 4 minutes — Nunc dimittis: about 2 minutes]

Text:
Book of Common Prayer
Click here for complete text.

Movements:

I.    Magnificat [Maestoso – Molto vivo]     [142 m.]
     II.    Nunc dimittis    [Lento – Molto vivo] [48 m.]

Dedication:
"For Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, and for John Birch and the Choir of Chichester Cathedral"

Craggs Catalogue Number:
C91

Performing Forces:

Mixed chorus (SATB)
Incidental solos for alto, tenor and bass

Organ

Manuscript:

West Sussex Record Office, Chichester. Autograph score in pencil.

Publication:

Oxford University Press. Vocal score, 1976, 019 3516500, Oxford Church Services # S609. An earlier version was printed in the preceding year, but never released.
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Vocal score]

Oxford University Press. Edited by Timothy Brown. William Walton Edition, Volume 6, "Shorter Choral Works without Orchestra", 1999, 019 3594323.
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: William Walton Edition, Volume 6]

Recordings:

Chorus Conductor Organist Year Compact Disc Timing
Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge Richard Marlow Richard Jackson or
Graham Pearce		 1988 Conifer CDCF 164 6'06"
The Finzi Singers Paul Spicer Andrew Lumsden 1992 Chandos CHAN 9222 6'01"
Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford Stephen Darlington Stephen Farr 1992 Nimbus NI 5364 6'10"
Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge Christopher Robinson Christopher Whitton 2001 Naxos 8.555793 6'22"
Polyphony Stephen Layton James Vivian 2002 Hyperion CDA67330 7'04"

 

Text:

I.  Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scatter'd the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He rememb'ring his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

II.  Nunc dimittis

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

                        — Book of Common Prayer

WilliamWalton.net – Catalogue of Works – Choral Music