Bob Chilcott

Welcome, all wonders in one sight!

Chilcott's convivial setting of Crashaw's Welcome, all wonders in one sight! opens with a bright and declamatory refrain that proclaims 'welcome!' over a grand, oscillating organ part that is grounded by an inner pedal note. Choral triplets gesture towards a swung rhythm, and jazz-like inflections lead to thrilling cadences on large extended chords. When split into double choir, material is echoed and expanded, further building the texture and sense of excitement at the coming of Jesus.
A contrasting central section features a smooth and flowing choral part in duplets with an energetic and staccato triplet organ line. A strong pulse acts as a foundation to Chilcott's invitation to lift up 'our loftier song, and wake the sun that lies too long'.

Bob Chilcott

Bob Chilcott has become one of the world's most widely performed composers and arrangers of choral music. His compositional output reflects his wide taste in music styles and his commitment to writing music that is both singable and communicative. He has been involved in choral music most of his life he was a chorister and then a choral scholar in the choir of King's College, Cambridge, and was a member of the British vocal group The King's Singers for whom he made a number of popular arrangements of well-known songs from all genres. As well as being a full-time composer he is also a highly acclaimed choral conductor. He has been privileged to conduct many choirs all over the world. He is Principal Guest Conductor of The BBC Singers and in 2019 he was appointed Principal Conductor of Birmingham University Singers. His music has been widely recorded by many choirs and groups including The King's Singers, Tenebrae, and The BBC Singers.