Op. 05

J.M.Smith, Opus 5: These are arrangements of three spirituals. “Swing low, sweet chariot” was written for St George’s day service at Grosvenor Chapel Mayfair. “Let us break bread together” is intended as a communion anthem and begins with the simple basic harmonisation of the tune before the melody diffuses into the other voices. “The Virgin Mary had a baby boy” is much lighter in character and was originally written for a choir in the Netherlands. Each verse transposes up a semitone in order and a high soprano solo is added in the third verse.