SKU: A0.1496253

A new setting of Psalm 139 by Philip Le Bas, which begins O Lord, you have searched me out and known me - text printed below. The psalm is a deeply personal reflection by the psalmist on the wonder of my being and on the inescapability of God's love, wherever we might try to hide, and whatever we might do ourselves or might experience - even death.

This gentle setting for unaccompanied SATB choir uses the full range of all four choral voices, with just one divisi passage at the end of the composition in the tenor and bass parts. The piece should be sung meditatively, without too much drama, even in the fortissimo passages, aiming for a sense of wonder and inner peace.

Psalm 139

O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know all my sitting down and rising;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark all my journeys and my resting place
and are acquainted with all my ways.

For not a word is on my tongue
but, Lord, you know it altogether.
You encompass me, behind and before me,
you lay you hand upon me.

O where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I climb up to heaven you are there;
you are there if the grave is where I lie.

If I take the wings of the morning,
or dwell in the depths of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
your right hand hold me fast.

You created my innermost parts;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I thank you for the wonder of my being,
I marvel at all your works.

Amen.

SKU: A0.818161

O for the wings of a dove, from the cantata Hear my Prayer by Felix Mendelssohn, with the accompaniment here arranged by Philip Le Bas for string quartet (with double bass instead of cello), flute and clarinet.

SKU: A0.818154

G K Chesterton's Christmas Carol Poem is full of contrasts between the peace and beauty of the Christmas Nativity scene and the turmoil and weariness of the world. This original setting for by Philip Le Bas for SATB choir and piano accompaniment brings out these contrasts in a simple but dramatic way.

SKU: A0.818158

Setting of Isaiah 60:1-6 by Philip Le Bas for unaccompanied SATB choir. Particularly suitable for the feast of Epiphany.

SKU: A0.818187

An anthem composed by Philip le Bas especially suitable for church choirs during Lent (or Advent) and Holy Week. It might also be particularly suitable for Remembrance services.

The Jacobean poet Phineas Fletcher’s passionate prayer of repentance is here set to music for SATB choir and organ. In a series of pulsating descending scales the author’s words express heartfelt remorse for his sins, reflecting the story of Jesus and the weeping woman in Luke 7:36ff. This is real, deep sorrow and regret, looking to the Prince of Peace for forgiveness: at one poignant moment the music reaches a point of stillness as the slow tears continue to fall.

The weeping then turns to anger, crying for vengeance, because sin doth never cease. The music rises to an intense climax, but suddenly vanishes; the anger is, after all, self-directed. Finally the text returns to a prayer of supplication to drown all my faults and fears, and the harmonies end with a hope-filled hint of future healing.

Drop, drop, slow tears,
and bathe those beauteous feet,
which brought from heaven
the news and Prince of Peace.

Cease not, wet eyes,
his mercies to entreat;
to cry for vengeance,
sin doth never cease.

In your deep floods,
drown all my faults and fears;
nor let his eye see sin,
but through my tears.

 Phineas Fletcher (1623)

The composer acknowledges with gratitude the ideas and help received from the Composition Workshop of Morley College during the Spring term of 2021, and particularly from its tutor Dr Paul Sarcich.