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for mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Text: English
Duration: 3'30''
Difficulty: 4/5

Composer’s note
Rejoice! is a carol filled with pure, unbridled joy and celebration, with peals of bells ringing out with sharply accented resonant chords, richly crafted contrapuntal sections reminiscent of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and modal twists inspired by Howells: in many ways, the carol can be seen as a longstanding chorister’s homage to the joys of singing praises at Chrismastide through a wealth of seasonal classics. The main melodic material is derived from the Christmas Day plainchant Viderunt Omnes, transforming it into an unabashed declamation of rejoicing with a contrasting central section that reflects more intimately and soulfully upon the idea Christmas mystery: the righteousness and salvation of God being revealed to mankind through Christ.

Duration: c3½ minutes

Text

All the ends of the world have seen salvation,
All the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our Lord.
Rejoice in the Lord, all lands!

Our Lord made known his salvation, in the sight of the gentiles he has revealed his righteousness.

All the ends of the world have seen salvation,

Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord, all lands!
Rejoice!

after Viderunt Omnes, from Psalm 98
translated and adapted by Rhiannon Randle


Rhiannon Randle

Randle studied with Julian Anderson at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Richard Causton at Cambridge University, where she also sang with Trinity College Choir. Her music (which includes three chamber operas, one in association with Royal Opera House) has been performed throughout the UK, Europe and the US by artists and ensembles including Britten Sinfonia, Heath Quartet, Sarah Connolly, the choirs of King’s and Trinity colleges, Cambridge and Christ Church, Oxford; recorded by the BBC Singers; released on Resonus Classics and Regent Records, and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. She was a finalist in the NCEM Composer Award, has been commissioned by Choir & Organ for its New Music Series, and is Composer-in-Residence at St Michael’s, Cornhill in the City of London. Commissions in that role include memoria for choir and erhu; A Winter Rose, a carol involving alphorns; and works for the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music. Rhiannon combines a busy composing schedule with singing, teaching on the academic staff at Guildhall School, and supervising at Cambridge University.