Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Judith Weir
Drop Down, Ye Heavens, from Above (1984)
- Novello & Co Ltd (World)
Advent Prose is the former title of the work
Programme Note
This very short setting of a text associated with the Matins service at Advent was written in 1983 and first performed by the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, as part of the very beautiful Advent Carol Service
held every year in Trinity College Chapel. The music has a plainsong-like shape (although not based on any real plainsong) and swells from unison to 8-part harmony and back again within a couple of minutes’ music.
Drop down ye heavens from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness.
Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people;
My salvation shall not tarry.
I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions.
Fear not, for I will save thee;
For I am the Lord thy God,
The holy one of Israel, thy redeemer.
Drop down ye heavens from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness.
© Judith Weir
held every year in Trinity College Chapel. The music has a plainsong-like shape (although not based on any real plainsong) and swells from unison to 8-part harmony and back again within a couple of minutes’ music.
Drop down ye heavens from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness.
Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people;
My salvation shall not tarry.
I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions.
Fear not, for I will save thee;
For I am the Lord thy God,
The holy one of Israel, thy redeemer.
Drop down ye heavens from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness.
© Judith Weir
Media
Drop down, ye heavens, from above
Reviews
...Weir’s gift to her audience is to bring a fresh radiance to the old plainchant...
12th December 2016
Discography
Advent Live, Vol. 3
- LabelSignum
- Catalogue NumberSIGCD768
- ConductorAndrew Nethsingha / George Herbert
- EnsembleChoir of St John's College, Cambridge
- SoloistOliver Wass, harp; Joseph Wicks, organ; George Herbert, organ
- Released24th November 2023
A Ceremony of Carols
- LabelSignum
- Catalogue NumberSIGCD627
- ConductorOwen Rees
- EnsembleChoir of Queens College, Oxford
- Released2020
The Mystery of Christmas
- LabelHarmonia Mundi
- Catalogue NumberHMM905305
- ConductorSuzi Digby
- EnsembleORA Singers
- Released2018
Advent at Merton
- LabelDelphian
- Catalogue NumberDCD34122
- ConductorBenjamin Nicholas / Peter Phillips
- EnsembleChoir Of Merton College Oxford
- ReleasedOctober 2012
Weir: Choral Music
- LabelDelphian
- Catalogue NumberDCD 34095
- ConductorGeoffrey Webber
- EnsembleCaius College, Cambridge / Choir of Gonville
- SoloistMatthew Fletcher, Annie Lydford, organ
- Released1st August 2011
Journey into Light
- LabelSignum Records
- Catalogue NumberLC15723
- ConductorMark Williams
- SoloistRobert Dixon & Timothy Lambourn, Organ, Rebeccca Crawshaw, Trumpet
- Released2011
Drop down, ye heavens
- LabelDelphian
- Catalogue NumberDCD34184
- ConductorPatrick Allies
- EnsembleSiglo de Oro
More Info
- A Scottish Service for King Charles III & Queen Camilla
- 4th July 2023
- A National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on July 5 2023 includes music by Errollyn Wallen, Judith Weir, new commissions from Paul Mealor and a new arrangement by John Frederick Hudson.