Stay with Me, Lord (HL 48023643)

Stay with Me, Lord (HL 48023643)

Stay with me, Lord was originally commissioned by the Genesis Foundation as one of three commissioned settings of Padre Pio's Prayer after Communion, and first performed in June 2008 at Westminster Cathedral, London by The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers. This version was arranged for the 2012 album The Call of Wisdom, an album of a selection of choral music by Will Todd, performed by Tenebrae and The English Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Nigel Short. Padre Pio (1887-1968), in his lifetime a controversial and holy man, was canonised St Pius of Pietrelcina in 2002. He is known unofficially as 'the patron saint of stress relief', in accord with his most famous dictum, 'Pray, hope and don't worry.' Stay with me, Lord sets an English version of the text by Ben Dunwell; by turns gentle and intense, the resulting choral prayer captures the reflective and emotional core of Pio's words. The Tenebrae version of the work may be accompanied by piano alone, or by string orchestra and harp (full score & parts available from www.boosey.com/digitaldownloads). For intermediate standard performers; also suitable for gospel choirs.