Stopford and the Irish Liturgical Tradition at the Heart of the Choral Repertoire
Philip W. J. Stopford regularly draws inspiration from British and Irish liturgical texts, offering choirs music imbued with dignity and clarity. His knowledge of parish and cathedral ensembles informs an idiomatic writing style, designed for the natural resonance of sacred spaces.
Summary of this Score
?A Christmas Blessing? sets to music a Christmas blessing with broad phrasing and homophonic movements that support text comprehension. The SATB voices weave a warm texture and bright harmonic atmospheres, perfect for processions and moments of prayer. The piece encourages work on dynamics and diction for a solemn and soothing performance.
Technical Specifications
Title: A Christmas Blessing
Subtitle: Words from the Church of Ireland Book of Common Prayer (adapted)