Jazz-inflected John Rutter - a tribute to George Shearing.
Full Title My True Love Hath My Heart – John Rutter
Notes from Rutter’s Birthday Madrigals, written by John Rutter in 1995 to celebrate the 75th birthday of the great jazz pianist George Shearing, a devotee of choral music and a personal friend of the composer. The style of the music is influenced by jazz but is fundamentally derived from the tradition of the English madrigal itself and its descendant, the part-song.
Duration
Performers required
- Upper Voice Choir unaccompanied
- Mixed voice choir unaccompanied
Source of printed music OUP
My true-love hath my heart, and I have his,
By just exchange, one for the other giv'n.
I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss;
There never was a better bargain driv'n.
His heart in me keeps me and him in one,
My heart in him his thoughts and senses guides;
He loves my heart, for once it was his own;
I cherish his, because in me it bides.
His heart his wound received from my sight:
My heart was wounded with his wounded heart;
For as from me, on him his hurt did light,
So still me thought in me his hurt did smart:
Both equal hurt, in this change sought our bliss:
My true love hath my heart and I have his.
by Sir Philip Sydney
