Angels Unawares

Robert Willis

Angels Unawares was commissioned by the Genesis Foundation for Harry Christophers and The Sixteen. I composed it in 2024/25 and it is scored for soprano and tenor soloists, choir and chamber orchestra. The orchestral scoring is for two trumpets, timpani, harp and strings. The work lasts about 70 minutes, made up of twelve short movements and is a setting of a substantial poem by Robert Willis who served as Dean of Canterbury Cathedral from 2001 to 2022, and passed away in October 2024 shortly after completing the text. The score is dedicated to his memory.

The first six movements, making up Part 1 are all based on encounters with angels in the Old Testament: the last six, making up Part 2 are all based on New Testament encounters. These encounters are all unexpected and mysterious contacts with angelic presences. There are many people in today’s world who are fascinated and beguiled by the idea of angels, and they run like a significant theme throughout the Judeo-Christian legacy.

The title comes from a passage from The Epistle to the Hebrews thought to have been written by St Paul:

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
(Hebrews 13:2)

I set this passage right at the start of the first movement as it encapsulates the overall theme and mood of the entire piece. At its core it is an encouragement to show kindness to strangers as a spiritual discipline, an appeal to treat all individuals with dignity and compassion, recognising that every encounter with another person could carry a deeper (even supernatural) significance than it appears on the surface. There is an added layer of mystery to the verse, implying that angels might be present in everyday life, unnoticed.

The work grew out of an ongoing conversation I have with John Studzinski the philanthropist and supporter of the arts who has been a significant mentor and advisor in my work. And the piece is the latest in a series of works I’ve composed which have angelic themes, such as the apocalyptic Seven Angels, the Christmas motet And lo, the angel of Lord came upon them and the more mysterious Who Are These Angels?

PART 1

1. The Exile from Eden
   chorus

2. Abraham and the Three Visitors
   for soprano soloist

3. Jacob and the Ladder Reaching into Heaven
   for chorus

4. The Song of Tobias
   for tenor soloist

5. Elijah and the Still Small Voice
   duet for soprano and tenor, with chorus

6. Ezekiel’s Vision
   for chorus

PART 2

7. Gabriel’s Message
   duet for soprano and tenor, with chorus

8. Temptation in the Wilderness
   for chorus

9. The Song of Nathanael
   duet for soprano and tenor, with chorus

10. The Song of Mary of Magdala
    for soprano soloist and chorus

11. The Song of Peter
    for tenor soloist and chorus

12. The Vision of John
    For soloists and chorus