LeFanu ST HILDA OF WHITBY by ScoresOnDemand

LEFANU

St Hilda of Whitby

a Cantata for SATB choir, soprano and baritone soloists, and small chamber ensemble or piano/organ accompaniment

Full Score

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NICOLA LEFANU

St Hilda of Whitby

a Cantata

for SATB choir, soprano and baritone soloists, and small chamber ensemble or piano/organ accompaniment

Full Score

LEIP ZI G · L ONDO N · NE W YOR K

ISSUU version for perusal only

St Hilda of Whitby a Cantata

Soloists:

Soprano (St Hilda) Baritone (Caedmon)

Choir: SATB.

Small solo parts are drawn from the choir: Soprano (Breguswith, Hilda’s mother) Soprano (Begu, a nun).

Ensemble: Oboe Bassoon Horn in F Trumpet in C Violin

Violin Viola Cello.

Score in C

Duration: 25′

Note: St Hilda of Whitby can be performed with piano/organ accompaniment, using the reduction provided in the vocal score, or with a small chamber ensemble. Full scores and parts are available for hire at editionpeters.com.

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Programme note

The Cantata was commissioned by the Association of Senior Members of St Hilda’s College, Oxford, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the College’s foundation. It was written for first performance by the College choir, soloists and instrumentalists, conductor Jonathan Williams, on February 18th 2018.

St Hilda (c.614–680) was a learned woman of the seventh century; what little we know of her comes from Bede’s Ecclesiastical History. In Wendy Cope’s poetic text, the narrative is carried by the choir, by Hilda and by people in her life.

The cantata begins with the choir singing Hilda’s praises and is followed by the dream of her mother, Breguswith, which foretells Hilda’s future. The choir continues: Hilda is chosen to be Abbess of Whitby, and Hilda herself sings of her mission, enjoining study and good works as well as contemplation. A lively feasting chorus leads to the herdsman Caedmon; too shy to sing at the feast, he has a vision enabling him to sing the praises of God and creation. Hilda takes him into the monastery; the chorus, singing a round, suggest time passing as he studies there till the end of his life. Kings and bishops seek her advice, and Hilda prays that God will help her be a peacemaker. Finally, a nun, Begu, dreams of Hilda’s soul ascending to heaven; the news comes of her death. The cantata finishes with the chorus singing Hilda’s praises.

In composing the cantata I thought how remarkable Hilda must have been. Well educated, energetic, commanding the respect of the most eminent men of her time – yet also greatly loved. In Bede’s words ‘All who knew her called her mother’.

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St Hilda of Whitby a Cantata

Solo: Hilda

Chorus 1

All who knew her called her Mother, Abbess Hilda, full of grace. Bishop, prince, monastic brother, Loved the wisdom in her face, Sought her counsel when in need, Heard her teaching and gave heed. All who knew her called her Mother, Abbess Hilda, full of grace.

Solo: Breguswith (Hilda’s mother)

I dreamed that my husband was taken away And I could not find him. But in my dismay I felt something under my robe - and I gazed At a beautiful necklace of jewels that blazed With a powerful light that shone from my hand And filled with its splendour the whole of our land.

Chorus 2

The dream came true. And Hilda was that light. Her father murdered, she in exile learned Of Christ and of his mysteries and yearned To serve Him all her life, to serve the Lord Until He called her home to her reward.

And thus she lived, so learned and devout That godly Bishop Aidan sought her out To rule, at first in one place, then another As abbess of an order, Reverend Mother. The dream came true. And Hilda was that light.

Here in this house of Whitby I decree That all shall live in peace and charity No-one shall be rich, no-one in need, All shall perform good works, and all must school Themselves in Scripture, taking time to read, To contemplate and learn. That is my Rule.

Above all, sisters, brothers, let us be Together here in peace and charity.

Chorus 3

But Abbess Hilda didn’t think it wrong To have a banquet, sing a merry song. Everybody present at a feast Would sing a song to entertain the rest. A certain herdsman, Caedmon, was too shyHe’d never learned to sing or versify. Before it was his turn he would retire To watch the oxen sleeping in the byre.

One night, something happened –something strange And marvellous that caused his life to change.

Solo: Hilda

Gentle Caedmon, put aside your fear And speak to us who are assembled here To listen. Tell us everything you told The reeve this morning. Lift your eyes. Be bold.

Solo: Caedmon

Reverend Mother, someone stood Beside me in my sleep and said “Caedmon, sing to me”. And I Replied, “I cannot sing. That’s why I left the banquet.” “Caedmon, sing Of God creating everything.”

[Caedmon]

Mother, I sang:

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Now let us praise the Maker of heaven, The mighty Creator and his design. Let us praise the work of the Father of glory, The everlasting Lord, Author of all miracles, The Guardian of the human race, Who made the sky to be a roof And then the earth to be our home, Almighty God.

Solo: Hilda

Caedmon, quiet, tongue-tied Caedmon, we Conferred among ourselves and we agree You are indeed inspired by heavenly grace. And therefore you will take your vows and be A brother in our learned company And live as we do in this holy place.

Chorus 4

Henceforward Caedmon spent his cloistered days

Learning Holy Scripture from the brethren. The Word of God inspired the bard to raise His voice in sweet harmonious songs of praise.

Solo: Hilda

Help me, Lord, to live a holy life

To be a peacemaker in times of strife. When Christians differ, make us mindful of Your teaching, and the healing power of love.

Chorus 4a

Caedmon died at last, a peaceful death, Sleeping as he drew his final breath.

Solo: Begu (a nun)

Hilda’s holy soul was sorely tried By years of suffering before she died: Six years of burning fever.

I had a vision in my sleep last night Of Hilda’s soul ascending, bathed in light, With angels guiding her towards the place Where she would meet her Saviour face to face.

And after I awoke at break of day They brought the news that she had passed away.

Chorus 5

© Wendy Cope

Cope

ST. HILDA OF WHITBY

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Nicola LeFanu

ViolinI

ViolinII

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Pocomenomosso

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Hilda,

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Christ,of

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AndHilda,

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Feasting,

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amerrysong,

haveabanquet,sing

ButAbbessHilda

didn’tthinkitwrong

singing,

feasting,

singing,

feasting,

dadidn’tthinkitwrong

Tohaveaban

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amerrysong.

song,

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sing,sing,

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singasong,

Sing,

singasong,

sing,

singasong,

Sing,

sing,singa

taintherest.

songtoenter

taintherest.

songtoenter

taintherest.

singasong,

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sing,singa

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presentatafeastwould

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wouldsingasong,

amerrysong,

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wouldsingasong,

singing,

œ œŒ singing,

amerry,merrysong,

wouldsingasong,

wouldsing

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toraiseHisvoice

fromthebrethren.

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Hilda,

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Mother,Abbess

Hilda,Abbess

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Hilda,

Mother,Abbess

Hilda,Abbess

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Mother,Abbess

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For more than 200 years, Edition Peters has been synonymous with excellence in classical music publishing. Established in 1800 with the keyboard works of J. S. Bach, by 1802 the company had acquired Beethoven’s First Symphony. In the years following, an active publishing policy enabled the company to acquire new works by composers such as Brahms, Grieg and Liszt, continuing into the twentieth century with Richard Strauss, Arnold Schoenberg and John Cage.

Today, as the publisher of living composers from around the world, Edition Peters continues its role as a champion of new music while continuing to develop its historic and education catalogues with award-winning critical and pedagogical editions.

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