OUP Women Composers Orchestral, Opera, Chamber, Instrumental and Choral Catalogue

Cecilia McDowall Before

Cecilia McDowall Before the paling of the stars Solo voice and piano High voice Digital 9780193558687 Low voice Digital 9780193558694 This tender carol sets an affecting text by Christina Rossetti that tells the story of Jesus’s birth. In classic McDowall style, the setting explores a variety of choral textures and is interspersed with unexpected harmonies, creating a range of musical colours. Also published in Oxford Solo Songs: Christmas 3 minutes Four Shakespeare Songs Soprano and piano or string orchestra Vocal score 9780193396944 Conductor’s score and parts on hire 9780193392823 Four Shakespeare Songs sets texts exploring different aspects of love. Using passages from various Shakespeare plays, McDowall’s writing is beautiful and clever in the way it reflects the moods and emotions of the various characters. 10 minutes If I touched the Earth Baritone and piano Vocal score 9780193404021 This work, commissioned by Jeremy Williams in association with the Vaughan Williams Trust, sets three poems by Dylan Thomas. The first is melancholic; the second contrasts the fearlessness of childhood with the caution of adulthood; and the third is a joyful setting that moves through the seasons. 8 minutes Solo Voice Three Songs after Schubert Baritone and piano Vocal score 9780193531857 Digital 9780193544475 This characterful trilogy of songs sets poems by John Greening that present a vibrant, modern take on each of Schubert’s song cycles. The first draws on ‘Gute nacht’ from Der Winterreise, taking inspiration from Captain Scott’s perilous expedition to the Antarctic in 1911–12. The second, ‘after Ständchen’, has an air of darkness and mystery. The text of the third song alludes to Schubert’s ‘Mein’ from Die Schöne Müllerin, and the musical setting is characterized by rapid semiquaver figuration in the piano and a vocal line full of dramatic expression. 10 minutes 60

Falling Angels Solo cello and piano Score and parts 9780193371668 This piece draws inspiration from the book City of Falling Angels, which gives a rich portrayal of Venice. The use of extended melodies contrasted with fragmented phrases portray the beauty of this city. 8 minutes Celebration Organ Score 9780193406131 Composed for the University of Portsmouth’s degree ceremonies, this work captures the joy and excitement of such occasions, partly through the incorporation of text from Thomas Ravenscroft’s round ‘To Portsmouth’. 6.5 minutes Church bells beyond the stars Organ Score 9780193393363 This is the third in a trilogy of works inspired by the metaphysical poet, George Herbert. This piece, and the first in the trilogy, ‘Sounding Heaven and Earth’, draw their titles from George Herbert’s ‘Prayer (I)’. 5 minutes First Flight Organ Score 9780193551497 Digital 9780193551503 This inventive work, composed in 2019, owes its title to that year’s two great anniversaries connected to manned flight: the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing and the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci. A wide range of highly effective textures and atmospheric harmonies draws the player and the listener through a journey that eventually reaches D major for the gloriously affirmative ending. 5.5 minutes Solo Instrumental O Antiphon Sequence Organ Score 9780193522947 Digital 9780193544499 In this piece, commissioned by the American Guild of Organists, each movement responds to liturgical text taken from the O Antiphons. The movements vary from lively and capricious to thoughtful and meditative. 15 minutes Sacred and hallowed fire Organ Score 9780193394018 Sacred and hallowed fire was commissioned by Harrison & Harrison as part of their 150 years celebration of organ building. It is one of a trilogy of works for organ by McDowall which draws from the poetry of George Herbert. 6.5 minutes Sounding Heaven and Earth Organ Score 9780193378865 Sounding heaven and earth is the first piece in a trilogy of works inspired by ‘Prayer (I)’, a sonnet by George Herbert. 6 minutes Wo Gott de Herr nicht bei uns hält Organ Score 9780193386624 The Orgelbüchlein Project is a long running project to complete Bach’s unfinished collection of organ music. McDowall has composed music for ‘ghost’ Chorale 119 (336) BWV 258 as her contribution to completing the set. 3 minutes Cecilia McDowall 61