The Spacious Firmament
for SATB, brass quintet and organ (Brass Parts)
The Spacious Firmament
for SATB, brass quintet and organ (Brass Parts)
- Besetzung Gemischter Chor (SATB), 5 Blechbläser und Orgel
- Ausgabe Stimmensatz - 5 Blechbläser
- Verlag Oxford University Press
- Bestell-Nr. 9780193363212
Lieferzeit 1-2 Wochen
Beschreibung:
Joseph Addison's poem The Spacious Firmament, much-loved in its familiar guise as a hymn, is an extraordinary vision, both ecstatic and scientific, reasoned and sublime. I am particularly drawn to texts which concern themselves with, literally, celestial things (a product of my interest in aviation and of space exploration, perhaps) and Addison's work is full of vivid images that cry out for musical setting.
I have divided the poem's three stanzas into six sections, each preceded by a brief instrumental sonata. Rather than using the full forces of choir, brass and organ throughout, the piece proceedes through varied antiphonal groupings, rather in the manner of 17th-century Venetian music. The work opens with a fortissimo organ chord followed by bright fanfares for the two trumpets - a call to attention perhaps - and there are dancing chorales for the brass ... coruscating figuration from the organ ... solo horn whoops over whispering arpeggios ... The sopranos and altos alone hymn 'Th'unwearied Sun', supported by muted brass staccatos; the moon's 'Wondrous Tale' is told by an obbligato tuba, high in its range; the 'solemn Silence' of the third stanza is evoked by a hushed chorale and deep organ pedal while a harmon-muted trumpet provides an otherwordly descant, before all the forces unite for the first time in a clanging, celebratory conclusion.
The Spacious Firmament was commissioned by the John Armitage Memorial Trust and was first performed by the BBC Singers, Onyx Brass and Stephen Disley (organ), directed by Nicholas Cleobury, at St Bride's, Fleet Street, on 10 April 2008. Gabriel Jackson
I have divided the poem's three stanzas into six sections, each preceded by a brief instrumental sonata. Rather than using the full forces of choir, brass and organ throughout, the piece proceedes through varied antiphonal groupings, rather in the manner of 17th-century Venetian music. The work opens with a fortissimo organ chord followed by bright fanfares for the two trumpets - a call to attention perhaps - and there are dancing chorales for the brass ... coruscating figuration from the organ ... solo horn whoops over whispering arpeggios ... The sopranos and altos alone hymn 'Th'unwearied Sun', supported by muted brass staccatos; the moon's 'Wondrous Tale' is told by an obbligato tuba, high in its range; the 'solemn Silence' of the third stanza is evoked by a hushed chorale and deep organ pedal while a harmon-muted trumpet provides an otherwordly descant, before all the forces unite for the first time in a clanging, celebratory conclusion.
The Spacious Firmament was commissioned by the John Armitage Memorial Trust and was first performed by the BBC Singers, Onyx Brass and Stephen Disley (organ), directed by Nicholas Cleobury, at St Bride's, Fleet Street, on 10 April 2008. Gabriel Jackson