Stuart Forster, organist

Compositions

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Here is a list of compositions by Stuart Forster.
Each category is listed in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent work at the top).

CHORAL MUSIC

Rejoice in the Lord always Anthem for Advent or General Use for SATB choir with organ

Where is this stupendous stranger? Christmas motet for two-part treble choir with organ accompaniment

The little road to Bethlehem Christmas motet for two-part treble choir with organ accompaniment

O taste and see motet for SATB unaccompanied choir [published by Paraclete Press, MA, in January 2005] http://www.paracletepress.com/webstore/item.php?item=973&ID=&PHPSESSID=41d33d82083dc

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord festive anthem for SSAATB Choir with organ accompaniment

How far is it to Bethlehem? Christmas motet for two-part treble choir with organ accompaniment

The Death of Christ Passiontide motet for SATB unaccompanied choir

15 Anglican chants for psalms and canticles

Ecce tempus idoneum Lenten anthem for SABar Choir with organ accompaniment

On Springfield Mountain folk song arranged for TTBB unaccompanied choir

 

MUSIC FOR CONGREGATIONS

By the Creator, Joseph was appointed [Statuit Creator], a unison hymn-tune with organ accompaniment

The Cambridge Mass [Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus/Benedictus, Fraction Anthem]  for unison congregation with organ accompaniment

 

Descants for the following hymns most with re-harmonized accompaniments

All creatures of our God and King [Lasst uns erfreuen]

All glory, laud and honor [St. Theodulph]

Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts and voices heavenward raise [Lux eoi]

Alleluia! sing to Jesus! [Hyfrydol]

Alleluia, song of gladness [Dulce Carmen]

Angels from the realms of glory [Regent Square]

Angel-voices ever singing [Angel voices]

At the Lamb’s high feast we sing [Salzburg]

Awake, arise, lift up your voice [Richmond]

Be thou my vision [Slane]

Brightest and best of the stars of the morning [Morning Star]

By all your saints still striving [King’s Lynn]

Come down, O Love divine [Down Ampney]

Come, labor on [Ora Labora]

Come, thou Almighty King [Moscow]

Come, thou fount of every blessing [Nettleton]

Come, thou long-expected Jesus [Cross of Jesus]

Earth and all stars [Earth and All Stars]

For all the Saints who from their labors rest [Sine Nomine]

Forty days and forty nights [Heinlein]

Go forth for God [Litton]

God rest ye, merry gentlemen [God rest ye]

God who made us make us still [Lucerna Laudoniae]

Hail the day that sees Him rise [Llanfair]

Hail thee, festival day! [Salve festa dies]

Hail, thou once despised Jesus! [In Babilone]

Hail to the Lord’s anointed [Es flog ein kleins Waldvögelein]

He is risen, He is risen! [Unser Herrscher]

I heard the voice of Jesus say [Kingsfold]

I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath [Old 113th]

If thou but trust in God to guide thee [Neumark]

Immortal, invisible, God only wise [St. Denio]

Jesus Christ is risen today [Easter Hymn]

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee [Hymn to Joy]

Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth [Mit Freuden Zart]

Love divine, all loves excelling [Hyfrydol]

New songs of celebration render [Rendez ŕ Dieu]

Now thank we all our God [Nun danket alle Gott]

O Jesus, crowned with all renown [Kingsfold]

O praise ye the Lord! Praise Him in the height [Laudate Dominum]

O thou who camest from above [Hereford]

O what their joy and their glory must be [O quanta qualia]

O worship the King, all glorious above [Hanover]

O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling [O Zion, haste]

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry [Winchester New]

Praise the Spirit in creation [Finnian]

Praise to God, immortal praise [Dix]

Praise to the Lord, the almighty [Lobe den Herrn]

Sing praise to God who reigns above [Mit Freuden Zart]

Sing, ye faithful, sing with gladness [Finnian]

Songs of thankfulness and praise [Salzburg]

Spread, O spread, thou mighty word [Gott sei Dank]

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord [Birmingham]

The head that once was crowned with thorns [St. Magnus]

The King of Love my shepherd is [St. Columba]

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want [Crimond]

The spacious firmament on high [Creation]

The strife is o’er [Victory]

Thine be the glory [Maccabaeus]

Thine for ever! God of love [Newington]

This is the day the Lord hath made [London New]

Thou whose almighty word [Moscow]

Through all the changing scenes of life [Wiltshire]

Through the Red Sea brought at last [Starf mich nicht]

To God with gladness sing [Darwall’s 148th]

We have a gospel to proclaim [Fulda]

We know that Christ was raised and dies no more [Engelberg]

We will extol you, ever-blessed Lord [Old 124th]

When Christ was lifted from the earth [St. Botolph]

When I survey the wondrous cross [Rockingham]

When in our music God is glorified [Engelberg]

Where cross the crowded ways of life [Gardiner]

While shepherds watched their flocks by night [Winchester Old]

Ye servants of God, your master proclaim [Paderborn]

Ye watchers and ye holy ones [Lasst uns erfreuen]

 

ORGAN ARRANGEMENTS/TRANSCRIPTIONS

“Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from The Planets —Gustav Holst arranged for organ

“Allegretto” from Symphony No. 7 — Ludwig van Beethoven arranged for organ

Five Variants of ‘Dives and Lazarus’ — Ralph Vaughan Williams arranged for organ

Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” — Antonín Dvořák arranged for organ [published by Čditions Chantraine, Belgium]

http://store.yahoo.com/ohscatalog/dvsyno9fneww.html

Blithe Bells — Percy Grainger [after Bach] arranged for organ

 “In the hall of the Mountain King” from Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 — Edvard Grieg arranged for organ

 

OTHER

Fantasia quasi fuga for string quartet

Variations on an original tune for piano

 

 

   

Stuart Forster is presently accepting commissions for:
- original music for choirs, with or without accompaniment;
- original music for congregational singing with organ accompaniment;
- original music for organ;
- arrangements for organ from the orchestral repertory;
- choral arrangements;
- other compositions by agreement.
 
For sample copies of any compositions listed here, please use the e-mail link below.

Inquiries via e-mail are welcome: stuartforster@aya.yale.edu

REVIEWS

 

O Taste and See, by Stuart Forster, English text, Paraclete Press, PPM00514, SATB a cappella. A communion anthem set to a text from Psalm 34:8, I first encountered this beautiful anthem when Sir David Willcocks conducted this graceful motet as part of the second New England Youth Choir Festival in 2002 at a dinner party after the concert. All of the adult artistic participants fell in love with this piece as Willcocks guided us through this fine contemporary motet. It is filled with sensitive text painting and sensual feeling so appropriate to the interpretation of the text. The anthem can be used in a general service situation as well. This fine anthem has received numerous performances, including the Washington National Cathedral and the American Anglican Musicians Convention. Scholarship, excellent compositional skills and sensitive choral writing make this piece a must for the choral library where effective literature is so important to your service planning. Difficulty rating 3-4. [The Choral Room]

Stunning!

August 19, 2007

Reviewer: Robert Lehman

This piece is a wonderful addition to the collection of works on this text (RVW, Bruce Neswick, etc). Its linear concept is almost chant-like yet the resulting vertical harmonies are warm, lush and beautiful. Highly recommended!

 

… this setting of Psalm 34:8 is full of intricate, close harmonic writing in all four parts. The lines, although mostly step-wise in motion, are not without challenge. The final result is a graceful but involved work for the accomplished ensemble.

Cross Accent

August 2005