Commissioned to celebrate the 20th wedding anniversary of friends, this poem by Catherine Lomas works beautifully for any celebration of love. There is a beautiful lyricism to the imagery of these words which choirs love to sing.

Composer: Will Todd

With an aching melody which starts on upper voices and gradually builds to the whole choir, this work features the composer's characteristic lush vocal harmonies and improvisatory accompaniment. The result is a very emotionally charged piece in which the words and music complement each other greatly.

Composer: Will Todd

This work was commissioned by the Friends of Cathedral Music to mark their Diamond Jubilee in 2016, with the intention of performance by as many of the affiliated choirs as possible. Naturally a celebratory anthem was envisaged but with a text that is general enough to allow its performance throughout the church's year. The opening section features a joyful, energetic setting of the first five verses of Psalm 105 (King James Version). A contrastingly quiet and gentle passage follows, the text being Robert Herrick s (1591-1674) To Music. A Song ('Music, thou Queen of Heaven, Care-charming spell..). The opening material then returns, with a short, ecstatic organ postlude bringing the piece to its conclusion.

Composer: James MacMillan

This work, a setting of a 4th-century hymn text ascribed to St Ambrose of Milan, contrasts a plainsong style melody over the organ pedals with the rich and lyrical outpouring of larger choral sections. Although challenging in places, the subtle chromaticism and occasional lush close-harmonies create a very powerful and impressive anthem for general sacred use (the text is particularly fitting for evening use or on Trinity Sunday) but also as a striking addition to a concert programme.

Composer: Will Todd

Stay with me, Lord was originally commissioned by the Genesis Foundation as one of three commissioned settings of Padre Pio's Prayer after Communion, and first performed in June 2008 at Westminster Cathedral, London by The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers. This version was arranged for the 2012 album The Call of Wisdom, an album of a selection of choral music by Will Todd, performed by Tenebrae and The English Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Nigel Short. Padre Pio (1887-1968), in his lifetime a controversial and holy man, was canonised St Pius of Pietrelcina in 2002. He is known unofficially as 'the patron saint of stress relief', in accord with his most famous dictum, 'Pray, hope and don't worry.' Stay with me, Lord sets an English version of the text by Ben Dunwell; by turns gentle and intense, the resulting choral prayer captures the reflective and emotional core of Pio's words. The Tenebrae version of the work may be accompanied by piano alone, or by string orchestra an

Composer: Will Todd

This piece by Astor Piazzolla (1921-92) first appeared in a comedy theatre show by Kado Kostzer and Alfredo Arias called Famille d'Artistes. The original piece, La Chanson de la Naissance, had a French text. Piazzolla is best known for his development of Tango Nuevo through his many works that cross the boundaries between tango, jazz, and classical music. This arrangement, which is true to his original tune and harmonic scheme, shows many of these traits. Here, the simple tune and chorus is passed around all sections of the ensemble - including an unaccompanied section - building to the choral tutti with the words joy to the world.

Composer: Astor Piazzolla

This Maundy Thursday/Last Supper text is all about loving one another, a much needed sentiment in these turbulent times. The music is flowing but should never be hurried.

Composer: Kim André Arnesen