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People look East

People, look East was composed in 1982 for the Gonville and Caius Choir and originally scored for AATBrBB (though with a note on the cover saying 'If necessary, the first alto part may be sung by sopranos'). The version performed by St. John's College Choir in the 2015 Advent Carol Service was arranged for SATB by Peter Marchbank in 2013.

Recordings

People, look East has been released (November 2016) on a new CD Christmas with St John's on Signum Classics. A sample of the track can be listened to on the Hyperion's website: http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dw.asp?dc=W19186_GBLLH1645818

The CD booklet notes that:

It’s a great fun piece, full of syncopations and changing time signatures, and with a melody full of unexpected twists and turns. The organ part is particularly delightful, strongly reminiscent of light music, and finishing with a humorous cascade of chromatic figures.

This recording for the 2017 BBC Advent Carol Service has been made available by the University of Cambridge:

People, look East features as the first track on All the World Tonight Rejoices: contemporary Christmas music by Truro Cathedral Choir, on Regent Records (REGCD560), released 26 November 2021. Andrew Wyatt, organ; directed by Christopher Gray.

Score

The full typeset PDF score can be obtained here (or click on the image below). Please also see our guidance on the use of this score.

Text © The Miss E Farjeon Will Trust. Reproduced by permission of David Higham Associates Ltd.

Tranchell People look East score preview