This anthem was commissioned by St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham to accompany the Procession of Oils during the Chrism Mass on 23 March 2016, a service presided over by the Bishop of Nottingham, when it was sung by a joint Diocesan Choir and the Cathedral’s Choral Scholars.
The text is adapted from Luke 4:18-19 and Ps.23. The overall mood is reflective, punctuated by moments of exhilaration which culminate in the setting of ‘He hath anointed me to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour’:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he hath anointed me.
He hath anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom to prisoners.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he hath anointed me.
He hath anointed me to proclaim recovery of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed free.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he hath anointed me.
He hath anointed me to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he hath anointed me.
Thou hast prepared a table before me, against them that trouble me.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
Slightly revised in 2018, it is scored for SATB choir (without divisions and incorporating substantial unison and two-part passages), Soprano and Bass soloists and organ. It can be heard in this form, and the score followed, in the video below.
Duration: 4:00
Pre-printed: This work is published by Chromata Music as an 8pp Octavo booklet (272x190mm), printed on high quality recycled offprint paper: 1-4 copies: £1.60 each / 5-15 copies: £1.44 each / 16-30 copies: £1.36 each / 31-50 copies: £1.28 each / 51+ copies: £1.20 each
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