Discover the choral music of Rachel Portman, whose lyrical writing for voices brings together poetry, nature and powerful storytelling. Recent additions The Gathering Tree and The Darkling Thrush add to a growing choral repertoire encompassing SATB, upper voices, a cappella writing and works with instrumental accompaniment.
The Darkling Thrush
This is the perfect addition to your carol service or Christmas concert. Oscar and multi award-winning Rachel Portman composed the carol The Darkling Thrush for Daniel Hyde and the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge and their famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, in 2025. The piece sets text by Thomas Hardy and is available for sale, either in print, or as a download.
The Gathering Tree
This piece is a celebration of community, connection and the shared stories that bring us together. Created for the BBC Proms, the work sets specially written words by Nick Drake, reflecting on what we share and hold dear. Beginning simply, the music gradually gathers in momentum and scale, building towards a joyful, uplifting chorus: “we are the source, the stream and the river.”
The Gathering Tree can either be performed with just piano accompaniment, or you can hire the orchestral materials for your performance. In the version with orchestra, as the work reaches its final verse, organ, orchestra, trumpets and choir unite in a powerful musical celebration of togetherness.
