A Winter Breviary
Published on 3. May 2022
Other
Sheet music
16 pages
978-0-19-356190-8 (ISBN)
Description
for SATB unaccompanied
The three movements of A Winter Breviary are entitled: 'We look for you', 'The year's midnight', and 'The unexpected early hour'. The movements are each based on an Indian classical Raag: Raag Hamsadhwani, Raag Malkauns, and Raag Ahir Bhairav, respectively. The texts, by poet Rebecca Gayle Howell, are linked to the Christian services of Evensong, Matins, and Lauds, and are eco-carols written from the perspective of a different point in time-evening, midnight, and daybreak-using nature to explore a different part of the Christmas story. The first two movements have a serene and pensive atmosphere that contrasts with the third movement, which uses an energetic compound time signature and bell-like melodic shapes.
The three movements of A Winter Breviary are entitled: 'We look for you', 'The year's midnight', and 'The unexpected early hour'. The movements are each based on an Indian classical Raag: Raag Hamsadhwani, Raag Malkauns, and Raag Ahir Bhairav, respectively. The texts, by poet Rebecca Gayle Howell, are linked to the Christian services of Evensong, Matins, and Lauds, and are eco-carols written from the perspective of a different point in time-evening, midnight, and daybreak-using nature to explore a different part of the Christmas story. The first two movements have a serene and pensive atmosphere that contrasts with the third movement, which uses an energetic compound time signature and bell-like melodic shapes.
Reviews / Votes
These contrasting pieces successfully bring together different cultural musical expressions and will suit well a competent choir or a small vocal ensemble looking for a thought-provoking, contemporary piece within a winter or Christmas programme. * Joy Hill, Choir and Organ *More details
Edition
Vocal score
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 1 mm
Weight
32 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-356190-8 (9780193561908)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music and brings communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces. Esmail holds degrees from The Juilliard School and the Yale School of Music, and her music has been performed by major orchestras, choirs and chamber groups all over the world. A resident of Los Angeles, Esmail is the 2020-25 Swan Family Artist in Residence with Los Angeles Master Chorale, and was the 2020-21 Composer in Residence with Seattle Symphony. She is the Artistic Director of Shastra, a non-profit organization that promotes cross-cultural music connecting musical traditions of India and the West.