HEAVEN TO EARTH
Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, composer

London Voices
Ben Parry, conductor
Andreana Chan, organist

RELEASE DATE: 12 January 2024 Signum Classics SIGCD790

“This is simply beautiful choral writing by someone who knows, from a singer’s perspective, how to compose music which every choir will want to sing.” - John Rutter CBE, composer

“This music is simply heavenly, and no choir, church or performance venue should miss out on the blessing this music brings. Through beautifully crafted accessible melodies, glorious harmonies, and a real ability to convey the sense of meaning of the text, this richly varied repertoire goes straight to the heart.” - Ken Burton, conductor, composer, arranger & performer

Heaven to Earth is a collection of singable, accessible, sacred choral music by the best-selling choral composer and multi-faceted musician Joanna Forbes L’Estrange.

The album comprises introits, anthems, canticles, a set of Preces and Responses, and a congregational mass setting, and the 17 pieces display a range of styles, from traditional, church choral music to gospel- and jazz- influenced. Each piece sits comfortably within the SATB vocal ranges, the organ accompaniments are designed to support the choir, there is minimal division within the parts, and the harmonies are attractive and approachable. The texts are drawn from the Bible, the Psalms, The Book of Common Prayer, Holy Communion, writers including St Richard of Chichester, Phineas Fletcher, Jane Austen, and the composer herself, and all of the pieces are suitable for church services: Eucharist, Choral Evensong, weddings and funerals. The settings are written with the intention of enhancing the meaning of the words, both for those who sing them and for those who hear them.

Joanna Forbes L’Estrange says, ‘I’m a great believer in the power of a melody to elevate words.... I aim to set the words in such a way that congregations are drawn in, not alienated. I want to write uplifting, prayerful, tuneful pieces which are musically interesting enough for choirs to enjoy singing, whilst always remaining accessible and approachable to church choirs of all sizes and abilities.’

Many of the pieces on this album were specially commissioned by, amongst others, the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), Ben Parry for King’s Voices Cambridge, a number of American choirs, composer and organist Philip Moore, and by friends and family for specific occasions. The Mountains Shall Bring Peace (Track 20) was commissioned by the RSCM to mark the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.