Martyr

Martyr was commissioned by St Albans Chamber Choir in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of their founding. It was premiered by the St Albans Chamber Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in St Albans Abbey on 24January, 2009 under the direction of John Gibbons. Martyr was written as a counterpart to Haydn's Missa in Angustiis ('Nelson' Mass), using the same orchestration as Haydn's original version. In venues where an organ ispresent, the optional organ part should always be used. The four SATB solo parts should be performed by a group of singers placed to the side or to the front of the orchestra, away from the main chorus. Although writtenwithindividual 'professional' solo voices in mind, the solo parts may also be performed by a semi-chorus with, for example, two or three voices to a part.

• SATB chorus
• SATB solo
• 3 Trumpets in Bb (3rdoff-stage)
• Timpani
• Organ (optional)
• String Orchestra: (minimum desks 2.2.2.2.1)