Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press

English

Descants should 'enhance the meaning of the words and intensify the sung prayer of the worshipper.' So writes the editor of this collection in his excellent preface to a significant new collection of 102 descants for hymns. The quality of printing is superb in both editions - and the melody edition is particularly clear with a helpful, good size of print for music and words. . . . This volume contains some of the best descants bound together under one cover . . . Many of the descants here are printed both in the original key and at a lower pitch. This matches settings in different hymn books, provides a more comfortable range for some singers, and helps the organist who is reluctant to transpose . . . This is an excellent collection which should find a significant place among those choirs which value and enjoy being part of the descant tradition in hymnody.