A Virgin Most Pure

I have just had the pleasure of reviewing a wonderful new arrangement of the carol “A Virgin Most Pure”. This is a carol I have often found to be rather tedious in carol services due to the repetitive nature of the melody and the carol’s length, as it has quite a number of verses. June Nixon, in this new arrangement, has by various ingenious means managed to get around the repetitive nature of the carol and turn it into something quite exciting and refreshing, without altering the basic melody. Every verse is different in its treatment of the melody, both in the choral setting and organ accompaniment, which I might add is well within the capability of an average parish organist.

The choral parts are not difficult and well within the ability of most parish choirs. June Nixon has even included an optional setting of five bars at the end (very wisely), as at bar 157 the sopranos have to sing up to a top B flat – the alternative bars do not require this feat of vocal virtuosity.

The score is meticulously annotated as to expression, organ keyboards and phrasing.

I thoroughly recommend this arrangement of “A Virgin Most Pure” to organists and choir directors as a very valuable addition to their choir’s repertoire for the Christmas carol service.
Graham Cole, Sydney Organ Journal
August, 2014