This is a more difficult anthem than one would think from looking at the music. 1st stanza: unison. 2nd: SATB (brief soprano divisi), almost entirely homophonic. 3rd: unison with descant. A no-brainer? But look again and try singing a lower part in the 2nd stanza. The harmonies are so advanced and subtle that the voices go all over the place. Rhythm in the 3rd stanza is also tricky. It can be a challenge-- but worth every minute spent to learn. What soaring brilliance!
This is a more difficult anthem than one would think from looking at the music. 1st stanza: unison. 2nd: SATB (brief soprano divisi), almost entirely homophonic. 3rd: unison with descant. A no-brainer? But look again and try singing a lower part in the 2nd stanza. The harmonies are so advanced and subtle that the voices go all over the place. Rhythm in the 3rd stanza is also tricky. It can be a challenge-- but worth every minute spent to learn. What soaring brilliance!
BVale 3 months ago
The text was written by Ursula Vaughan Williams, who passed away October 23, 2007.
songblam 4 months ago
Howells is my favorite composer. Bravo, truly fine singing of a truly magnificent piece.
Read the poem too. Absolutely divine.
Kippsky45 8 months ago