for mixed voices (SATB div) & piano
Text: English (Will Todd)
Duration: 2.5 minutes
Difficulty: 2/5
Use: General, Evening, Evensong


Written in 2014 for the Wellensian Consort, conducted by Christopher Finch, At Evening is composed in the style of an ‘evening blessing’. It would work very well as an anthem during an evening service or as a blessing at the end of evensong. The text, penned by the composer, appeals for God’s blessing, love and safety as night falls, and the music is suitably soothing, making use of Todd’s characteristic rich, warm harmonies and shapely melodies. A simple piano part supports the mixed voices (with only occasional divisi) in this short work which elementary to intermediate choirs, and their audiences, will thoroughly enjoy.


Recommended recording: Footprints (Tyalgum TYA006) by Wellensian Consort and Will Todd (piano), conducted by Christopher Finch


Text
The day is done and night will fall.
Bless me Lord and lead me home.
May your light forever shine,
May your love always be mine.


When earthly things are passed away
I will wake in heaven’s day.
May I be always encircled in your love;
In your arms, safe at last with God above.


Will Todd


Will Todd
Will Todd is a UK-based performer and composer whose music spans a variety of styles and genres. Best known for his choral works, he has worked closely with choirs such as The Sixteen and Tenebrae, and his 2003 jazz mass setting Mass in Blue has been performed extensively since its premiere by choirs in the UK, Europe and the USA. Other notable works for choir range from large scale oratorios such as Saint Cuthbert (recorded by the Hallé Orchestra in 2002) to the anthem The Lord is my shepherd, available for both upper and mixed voices with piano or orchestral accompaniment. He has worked on operas and stageworks, most notably in collaboration with Opera Holland Park for whom he wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 2013. A clarinet concerto, written for Emma Johnson, has been performed in the UK, USA and Finland and recorded and broadcast by the BBC Concert Orchestra. As a performer, Will leads his own Will Todd Trio from the piano and regularly directs choir workshops and performances.