The St. Paul's Cathedral Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis: SATB Choral Octavo
The St. Paul's Cathedral Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis Sheet Music Preview

The St. Paul's Cathedral Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis: SATB Choral Octavo

As performed by Herbert Howells

Item: 35-DS00345773
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$2.99
Description

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 28
SKU: 35-DS00345773

More about this title

About the Artist: Herbert Howells

Herbert Howells (1892-1983) was a central figure in twentieth-century English church music, composing across all liturgical genres while maintaining a distinctly personal harmonic language rooted in English cathedral traditions. His vast output of anthems, canticles, and service settings earned him positions at major cathedrals and the Royal College of Music, where he shaped generations of musicians through both composition and teaching.

Why we love this

Howells brings a radiant yet introspective quality to these canticles that sits perfectly between accessibility and sophistication. The harmonic language is rich enough to sustain singers' interest across 28 pages, yet the writing remains singable for choirs without extensive English cathedral experience. This is repertoire that sounds substantially more impressive than the effort required to prepare it.

What to expect

These canticles unfold with a contemplative luminosity, their harmonic language hovering between consonance and subtle tension. The music feels both ceremonial and intimate, inviting singers into a meditative space while maintaining structural integrity across extended passages.

Who it's for

Cathedral and church choirs seeking substantial liturgical repertoire for Evensong will find this essential to their libraries. Collegiate and university choirs with strong vocal training can tackle the harmonic density and English prosody with confidence.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the phrase endings with care; Howells' harmonic movement often creates natural points of repose that benefit from subtle dynamic tapering rather than hard stops.
  • Balance the inner voices distinctly enough that the harmonic motion remains transparent, particularly in the SATB sections where the alto and tenor lines carry important harmonic information.
  • Experiment with how much vibrato serves the music; many cathedral singers employ a warmer, more restrained vibrato for this repertoire than in secular contexts.

How to use it

Include this as part of a complete Evensong service, or extract the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis separately for a concert program focusing on English spiritual music. The 28-page scope makes it equally suited to a special service featuring multiple canticle settings or a recital segment devoted to liturgical works.

Skills your students will build

  • English text prosody and lyrical phrasing in sacred contexts
  • Reading and sustaining complex harmonic structures with minimal tonal reference
  • Balancing inner voices in four-part writing where all lines carry musical importance
  • Interpreting cathedral style and historical performance conventions

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