Roth, Alec - Men and Angels, optional violin part

English composer Alec Roth sets George Herbert's poem Antiphon II for his atmospheric piece for unaccompanied SSATBB choir. The duration is 4'30” and if performed with the present optional violin part the duration is expanded to 5'30” with the opening minute being a short prelude in which the violin establishes the mode and introduces the musical ideas which are taken up by the singers. Herbert sets his verses out like a play script, with parts for ‘Chorus', ‘Men' and ‘Angels'. Roth's setting gives voice to the characters with soprano and alto singing the words of the Angels, the tenor and bass the Men, and both groups combining as the Chorus.

• Violin part to accompany EP72824 (vocal score – available separately)
• A commission from 2014 from the Farrant Singers (UK).
• Version with violin was commissioned by VOCES8 premiered in the LIVE from London online festival in 2020.
• Alec Roth's vocal and choral music has been commissioned, performed and recorded by musicians such as Mark Padmore, Ex Cathedra, VOCES8 and The Sixteen.