And when the builders
03:40 duration|Composed in 2011 rev. 2012|Difficulty: Quite Difficult|First performed: 1/10/2011
St James Priory in central Bristol is the oldest building in the city, the nave having been built in 1129. It is also a wonderful performance venue for music with a beautiful Norman interior and a clear and transparent acoustic. From November 2009 the Priory was closed for restoration. Exultate Singers gave a concert in July 2011 to celebrate the reopening of the building, and this joyful anthem was written for that concert.
The text from Ezra seemed like a good choice for celebrating both the rejuvenated building and also the place of music within it:
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
The music is scored for eight-part SSAATTBB choir and features extensive added note harmony, cluster chords, canons and polychords to give a shimmering, ecstatic feel to the choral sound.
