2 Works for unaccompanied choir by Christopher Rathbone

Works for unaccompanied choir

op 0 Preces and responses (SATB) 1967 rev 1981 & 2009

These responses have been used several times over 35 years, most recently in 2009 in Bristol Cathedral with a newly composed setting of the Lord's Prayer.

(Pub. Typeset)
op 0 All other love (SATB) 1970
op 0 Vesper responsory for Advent 1981 rev 1997

This simple set of responses has been regularly sung (in the 1997 revision) at Meanwood, and since 2009 at St Margaret's Ilkley (and Fewston) at the famous Advent Procession, along with the Rathbone arrangement of the Advent carol 'People look East'. Both are now typeset by Kevin Cheater.

(Pub. Typeset)
op 0 Salve Regina motet SATB 1996

This straightforward unaccompanied setting of the Latin hymn was written for a visit by Marlborough College Chapel Choir to Montserrat in the Summer of 1996, but was not used at that time. It has been very succesfully used as a communion motet on Marian festivals at Ilkley!

(Pub. BJM)
op 0 People look East, arranged for SATB 2009

This is a straightforward arrangement of the traditional Advent carol, which has been successfully performed in the St Margaret's Advent Procession ten years running. Kevin Cheater has typeset it. There's even a version in French!

(Pub. Typeset)
op 0 Preces and responses (3rd set) for ATB unaccompanied - 2015

These responses were written for a trio of Christchurch Oxford choral scholars to sing at a special evensong at St Catherine's near Batheaston, Somerset in July 2015. It was composed in late May 2015 in Madrid! Available as a pdf in type-set form.

(Pub. Typeset)
op 0 St Mark Passion

This is a simple setting in the style of the plainsong version used by Victoria in his St Matthew and St John settings. The 'turba' choruses are in 2 parts for ST/AB. The text is a modern version.

(Pub. Typeset)
op 0 Our sonn is set

A simple setting for SATB of the words on a stone panel (incomplete) in the porch of St Catherine's Church, near Bath. Composed in July 2019.

(Pub. Typeset)
op 30 Two motets to words by Siegfried Sassoon, SATB unaccompanied

Ywo motets were composed in 1975 to poems by Siegfried Sassoon, 'Awaitment' and 'Nativity' - only the latter was performed at the time. They are dedicated to Gerald Murray, the Marlborough College librarian, in honour of the Marlburian Great War poets, Sassoon and Sorley.

op 33 Of a rose, a lovely rose SATB

(recorded by Jubilate on “Mosaic”)

This short carol, published by BJM along with 'A Salford Carol' as Two Carols, is an unaccompanied SATB setting of a Mediaeval English text, with a lovely refrain: 'Of a rose, a lovely rose is all myn song'. Composed in 1978 for Marlborough College chapel choir, it featured in the service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Margaret's Ilkley in December 2011. It was recorded by Jubilate, directed by Andrew Brown for a CD ('Mosaic') produced in Wiltshire in 2000.

(Pub. BJM)
op 35 There was a boy (A Salford Carol)

This short unaccompanied carol sets a poem by John Short, for SATB unaccompanied, with a brief soprano solo at the end. The poem was suggested by Peter Hardman, Chaplain at Marlborough College at the time (1979).

(Pub. BJM)
op 93 God is our hope and strength 2003

This psalm setting for unaccompanied chamber choir was composed for the Bolton Chamber Choir and Peter Gunstone and performed by them in Bolton Parish Church, West Houghton and Cartmel Priory. It was subsequently performed and recorded by the St Peter's Singers in Leeds Parish Church. The words are the Coverdale version of Psalm 46.

(Pub. BJM)
op 94 Follow thy blessed Saints (double choir) 2003

This was an occasional piece written for the annual Three Choirs meeting of Ripon, Wakefield and Leeds.

op 104 Four carols, no 4 2005

The 4th of this set of carols is a setting of 'Remember O thou man' for unaccompanied voices (SATB no divisions). It would be suitable for an Advent Carol Service or concert.

(Pub. BJM)
op 116 Two Prayers 2010

These two unaccompanied 'motets are settings of beautiful prayers by St Augustine (attrib.) 'O Lord our saviour' ('Grant that we, whose lot is cast in so goodly a heritage') and John Donne 'Bring us O Lord God' (including 'No noise or silence, but one equal music'). Four part writing with no 'divisions'.

(Pub. BJM)
op 126 Missa Brevis Santa Margareta 2013

This short unaccompanied setting of the Mass contains just the Kyries, Sanctus and Benedictus, and Agnus Dei, and is intended for use in penitential seasons by St Margaret's choir. First performed in May 2013 it was also given on 16th March 2014 and twice in the spring of 2015.

Recorded on September 21st 2019 by St Margaret's Choir.

(Pub. BJM)
Kyrie
Sanctus
Benedictus
Agnus Dei
op 144 A Prayer for a house of Prayer (Thomas Ken) 2020

A short setting of a prayer by Thomas Ken requested by Anthony Gray for St Wilfrid's Harrogate.

(Pub. Typeset)
op 146 Missa semplice 2020

This is an easily learnt setting of the missa brevis (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei) written and typeset all in a single day, during the Covid-19 lockdown!

It is designed as a useful setting, particularly for Advent and Lent, though also for other seasons (hence the Gloria). No organ, just SATB unaccompanied, and very straightforward.

(Pub. Typeset)
Sanctus/Benedictus
Agnus Dei
op 154 Three antiphons for Easter

These three little motets use texts and plainsong melodies from the Plainsong Gradual published by CSMV in Wantage. They are Faith, hope and charity (for Maundy Thursday), If ye then be risen with Christ (Easter Day), and The loving kindnes of the Lord (Easter 1). Each is scored for 4-part SATB, with no divisions. They were written in Easter Week 2021.

(Pub. Typeset)