John Rutter / Paul Noble

"The Gift of Life" was written early in 2015 as a commission to honour a retiring Minister of Music at a church in Dallas, Texas. In planning this piece, John Rutter has stated: "In 1985 I had written a Requiem - which, like any Requiem, inevitably reflects on death - why not write the opposite, a work celebrating life? Unlike a Requiem, where a set form of words is laid down in Catholic liturgy, no framework exists for a celebration of life, and I had to choose (and in three cases, write) texts which were appropriate to a theme rarely expressed in music since Haydn's wondrous oratorio The Creation in 1798." The six movements reflect different facets of the miracles of creation and of life. This arrangement is written for combined Concert Band and Chorus, but may be performed by Concert Band alone. NOTE - The choral parts are sold separately, published by Oxford University Press.
"O Lord, how manifold are thy works" is a joyful and comforting work that gives strength, power and depth of meaning to the words of Psalm 104, climaxed by the chorale setting of Rutter's words, "For all the gifts of God's creation fashioned by his mighty hand: Earth and heaven, and all things living springing up at his command; To God on high be endless glory, praise and honour to his Name, Who was, and is, and ever shall be, through eternity the same." The richness of the music itself tells the story, even without the words.

Add To Cart

Add To Estimate

Add to Wishlist