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Exceeding Glad: Choral Full Score

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Exceeding Glad Cover Image
Exceeding Glad: Choral Full Score

Exceeding Glad: Choral Full Score

By Roderick Williams

Level: Advanced

Item: 98-EP73750
$5.50
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Description
"Exceeding Glad was commissioned explicitly to reflect my personal experience of the Coronation of King Charles III in May 2023. I was extremely fortunate in being asked to perform at the event as well as to contribute some music. In the week leading up to Coronation Day, I was staying in the Westminster area, close to the Abbey, and was able to soak up the extraordinary, almost unreal atmosphere. It was in marked contrast to the air of dignified solemnity that had accompanied the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II the previous year; the Coronation was to be a celebration on a grand scale and spirits were high.

King Charles took a personal, close interest in the music for the whole occasion and commentators noted the breadth and diversity of his choice. The Ascension Gospel Choir made a memorable contribution to the service and certainly added to the joy of the occasion. This sense of joy was present in the noise and brilliance of the amalgamated musicians that day, also in the pealing of the Abbey bells. On the one hand, the day was a showcase for pageantry, precision, and expertise; on the other it was one huge party.

A month to the day after the coronation, I was invited to a concert, to be attended by King Charles, at which the four Handel Coronation Anthems were performed. I was seated close enough to observe the King listening to this music and I couldn't help but wonder how the biblical texts, immortalized by Handel's genius centuries ago, would strike the present King. Might he also, as he listened again to "Zadok the Priest," have been taken back to the moment of his anointment in Westminster Abbey one month previously? How the texts of these anthems must have resounded in his head, possibly in something of a blur. And how strange it felt for us in the audience to have the text and music of these four anthems focused so powerfully on one human being, present right in front of us.

All these reflections are contained within this short choral piece, which seeks to capture some of that joyous atmosphere."
--- Roderick Williams, February 2024

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Additional Details
Series: Edition Peters
Publisher: Edition Peters
Page Count: 16
ISBN10: 0-577-02425-6
ISBN13: 979-0-577-02425-7
UPC: 9790577024257
SKU: 98-EP73750

More about this title

About the Composer: Roderick Williams

Roderick Williams is a British baritone, composer, and conductor whose work spans opera, art song, choral music, and orchestral composition. A recording artist with multiple gramophone nominations, he has established himself as a significant voice in contemporary classical music, bringing both performance insight and compositional craft to his works. His music demonstrates a gift for lyrical writing and deep engagement with text, qualities evident in both his vocal works and larger ensemble pieces.

Why we love this

Williams brings a composer's insider perspective on how music functions in ceremonial spaces, having witnessed the Coronation firsthand and studied how this event shaped the piece's character. The score captures genuine emotional range—moving from jubilant celebration to reflective reverence—without sacrificing singability or clarity, making it rewarding for skilled choirs seeking contemporary sacred work with real substance.

What to expect

The piece moves between moments of soaring brilliance and intimate reflection, capturing the duality Williams observed between pageantry and celebration. There is a sense of occasion throughout without becoming heavy; the music feels both formal and joyful, grounded in the specific atmosphere of a historic day.

Who it's for

Advanced amateur and professional choirs seeking contemporary sacred repertoire with a clear narrative arc and emotional depth. This work suits ensembles with secure intonation and the musical maturity to navigate its harmonic language and text expression.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the sense of occasion (grandeur, formality) with the undercurrent of joy that Williams emphasizes as central to the work; avoid letting ceremonial weight flatten the piece's brightness.
  • Study the commission's context: understanding Williams's personal experience at the Coronation will inform phrasing choices and emotional coloring throughout the score.
  • Pay close attention to how the SATB voices interact during moments of harmonic complexity; Williams's craft rewards clear voice leading and independence within the blend.

How to use it

Program this as a cornerstone of a sacred music concert exploring contemporary commissions, or pair it with Handel's Coronation Anthems to create a historical dialogue between royal occasions separated by centuries. It also works well in a concert celebrating choral commissions or works inspired by significant national events.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading advanced harmonic language and chromatic voice leading
  • Balancing multiple emotional registers within a single work
  • Sustaining focus through a longer-form sacred piece with varied textures
  • Connecting text meaning to musical expression in contemporary sacred contexts

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