open thou our lips

(2021)

for SATB choir and violin

  • for Matt

    Commissioned by Llandaff Cathedral School Consort, in memory of our dear friend, Matt Barnaville.

    During my time as a singer with church and cathedral choirs, the act of Evensong was a special coming together. Not only for worship, but, for me, a coming together of friends and voices. Commissioned by Simon Lovell-Jones and the Llandaff Cathedral School Consort, 'open thou our lips' is a reflection on the liturgy of evening prayer, the coming together of people, and celebration through song: "O Lord, open thou our lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise."

    This reflection was specifically created for a dear friend who I, and many others, shared Evensong with over the years, a dear friend who tragically passed in January 2021 - Matthew Francis Waldron Barnaville.

  • SATB choir, violin

  • 4’

text

after Psalm 51

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 […] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation

15  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.