Solitude
Published on 24. October 2019
Other
Sheet music
16 pages
978-0-19-353243-4 (ISBN)
Description
for SSA and piano or harp
This anthem sets a powerful poem by John Henry Newman that reflects on the spirituality of solitude. An imaginative interplay between voices and instrumental accompaniment is prevalent throughout, with effective contrasts between tranquillo and animato sections and delicate ostinato patterns.
An alternative accompaniment for harp is available for purchase. The anthem is also available in a version for SATB and guitar or piano.
This anthem sets a powerful poem by John Henry Newman that reflects on the spirituality of solitude. An imaginative interplay between voices and instrumental accompaniment is prevalent throughout, with effective contrasts between tranquillo and animato sections and delicate ostinato patterns.
An alternative accompaniment for harp is available for purchase. The anthem is also available in a version for SATB and guitar or piano.
Reviews / Votes
Pointillistic lines in both voices and accompaniment establish an expansive atmosphere of static tranquillity for this setting of poetry by John Henry Newman . . . The spirituality of the text is deep yet not expressly Christian, taking rather the mantle of an ethereal mysticism. Whitbourn matches this mood stirringly, allowing the music to linger at moments of repose in the text and hastening on with agitated figuration . . . The music isn't typical fare for treble choirs, yet the vocal lines ae crafted with care. Moderately experienced treble choirs would find this a satisfying challenge to learn and perform. * Robert Matthew-Walker, The Organ, Spring 2020 * The score presents really effective contrasting moments between the tranquillo and animato sections, with bright, ecstatic writing around the text 'to catch the inspiring glow of heavenly love', for example, with its faster moving rhythms and rich harmony. For competent choirs, whatever setting one chooses, this will be a striking piece to enjoy learning and to programme. * Joy Hill, Choir & Organ, February 20 *More details
Edition
SSA vocal score
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight
42 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-353243-4 (9780193532434)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dr James Whitbourn graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford, before embarking on a distinguished career as composer, conductor, producer and academic. He began his career in music at the BBC, from 1990 to 2001 he served as Editor of BBC Radio 3's weekly Choral Evensong series and he produced the BBC broadcasts of Carols from King's for more than thirty years. A member of Oxford University's Faculty of Music, Whitbourn was Fellow and Director of Music at St Edmund Hall, Senior Research Fellow at St Stephen's House, and Director of Music at Harris Manchester College. Whitbourn joined Oxford University Press as an exclusive house composer in 2019. His substantial catalogue has a focus on choral writing and is popular on both sides of the Atlantic - particularly his concert-length portrait of Anne Frank, Annelies; and the multi-media choral work Luminosity. Whitbourn's work has been recognised internationally, receiving four GRAMMY nominations. He died in March 2024.