This Day (Sheet music, Vocal score)

This Day unites five very different texts, both sacred and secular, in an exploration of man's relationship with the world and with God. Opening with an optimistic F sharp major setting of Emily Dickinson's 'Bring me the sunset in a cup', the work progresses through the stages of a day (or, indeed, a life): 'Awake, my soul!' (Thomas Ken), 'This Day' (Jewish text, adapted Chilcott), 'The Bright Field' (R.S. Thomas), and 'O Lord, support us' (John Henry Newman). This is powerfully evocative music embracing a range of moods and styles, with moments of joyful optimism, spiritual enlightenment, and poignancy.