Composer
Margaret Burk Text English trad., ca. 1420
Voicing SSATTB, a cappella Topic Christmas Price $2.50 (U.S.) Released 8/23 Cat. no. 405-229 Difficulty Mod. Diff.
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Description Inspired by John Joubert's famous setting of this text, Margaret Burk’s setting begins with an ornamented melody sung over wordless harmonies. Although primarily homophonic, a reasonable amount of divisi throughout makes this a choice primarily for a medium or larger choir.
Anthem text There is no rose of such virtue
As is the rose that bare Jesu:
Alleluia.
For in this rose contained was
heaven and earth in little space:
Res miranda.
By that rose we may well see
that he is God in persons three:
Pares forma.
Then leave we all in this worldly mirth
and follow we this joyful birth:
Transeamus.
–English traditional, ca. 1420
Trinity Cathedral Choir, Portland, Oregon
Review "A memorable original melody in folk style forms the basis of this carol cast in conventional form. Natural voice leading allows the music to flow in effortless motion while the F Aeolian tonality is altered only by a single bass note accidental and a Picardy third in the tenor at the final chord. Sopranos and tenors divide with some frequency, and altos divide in the final cadence. The bass tessitura is somewhat high, requiring attention to vowel color in some exposed entrances. This attractive setting of familiar words is a valuable addition to the seasonal repertoire." --AAM Journal, Jan./Feb. 2024
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