Composer

:

Herbert Howells

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

'God be in my head' is a choral work composed by Herbert Howells in 1932. It was premiered in the same year by the choir of King's College, Cambridge. The piece is a short anthem, consisting of only two movements, and is written for four-part choir (SATB). The first movement of 'God be in my head' is a simple and gentle setting of the text, which is a prayer for God's presence and guidance in one's thoughts and actions. The melody is predominantly homophonic, with the four parts moving together in harmony. The harmonies are mostly diatonic, with occasional chromatic inflections adding a touch of color and interest. The second movement is a brief coda, which repeats the final line of the prayer ("God be in my heart and in my thinking") in a more elaborate and expressive setting. The melody is more complex than in the first movement, with more frequent changes of rhythm and harmony. The final chord is a rich and satisfying resolution, bringing the piece to a peaceful and contented close. Overall, 'God be in my head' is a beautiful and understated work, which showcases Howells' skill in writing for choral voices. The piece is notable for its simplicity and directness, which make it accessible to choirs of all levels, while still retaining a sense of depth and emotional resonance.

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