Freda Swain: Faith Without Works is Dead: for SATB Choir and Organ

This critical edition is based on an autograph manuscript in the collection of Freda Swain manuscripts held by the Swiss pianist, Timon Altwegg. It draws on the editor's experience of editing music by Swain's teacher Charles Villiers Stanford, conducting Swain's choral music, and cataloguing and research of the Swain manuscripts and papers in Switzerland. It marks the first publication of the anthem 'Faith Without Works is Dead', a setting of words from the Epistle of James with music by Freda Swain (1902-1985). This performance edition resolves various issues and inconsistencies so that choirs can sing the work. Uppermost was Swain's revision of lyrics in the opening bars, which required editorial decisions about rhythmic adjustments to be applied in all the vocal lines. This previously unresolved issue is probably the reason that the work was not performed in Swain's lifetime. This edition makes this work available for the first time in print and provides a valuable addition to the choral repertoire by a neglected but important composer and musical campaigner. A preface to the edited score contexualises Swain and her work and outlines the editing that was undertaken.