Bob Chilcott - Move him into the sun
for upper voices, SATB, and piano (with snare and tenor drums and solo cello) or chamber orchestra This profound setting of poems by Wilfred Owen explores the idea of the sun as a redemptive force. The sense of human connection and vivid imagery of the natural world imbued in Owen's poetry is perfectly conveyed in Chilcott's music, which is rich in highly effective word painting and melodies as visceral as the poetry itself. The first movement, 'Song of Songs', sets the tone for the work, balancing a sense of reverence and solemnity with hopefulness and optimism, and a poignant and moving setting of Futility is a powerful focal point. Chilcott supplements the choral texture to great effect, with snare and tenor drum creating a mood of expectancy in 'Spring Offensive' and a middle movement for tenor and cello soloists that inhabits a stark musical landscape that blossoms harmonically as the soldier tells of the 'fellowships' and 'beauty' they have found.
for upper voices, SATB, and piano (with snare and tenor drums and solo cello) or chamber orchestra
This profound setting of poems by Wilfred Owen explores the idea of the sun as a redemptive force. The sense of human connection and vivid imagery of the natural world imbued in Owen's poetry is perfectly conveyed in Chilcott's music, which is rich in highly effective word painting and melodies as visceral as the poetry itself. The first movement, 'Song of Songs', sets the tone for the work, balancing a sense of reverence and solemnity with hopefulness and optimism, and a poignant and moving setting of Futility is a powerful focal point. Chilcott supplements the choral texture to great effect, with snare and tenor drum creating a mood of expectancy in 'Spring Offensive' and a middle movement for tenor and cello soloists that inhabits a stark musical landscape that blossoms harmonically as the soldier tells of the 'fellowships' and 'beauty' they have found.
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Texts<br />
1. Song of Songs<br />
Extract from ‘The Promisers’ (Upper voices)<br />
When I awoke, <strong>the</strong> glancing day looked gay;<br />
The air said: Fare you fleetly; you will meet <strong>him</strong>!<br />
And when <strong>the</strong> prosp’rous <strong>sun</strong> was well begun<br />
I heard a bird say: Sweetly you shall greet <strong>him</strong>!<br />
‘Song of Songs’ (SATB)<br />
Sing me at morn but only with your laugh;<br />
Even as Spring that laugheth <strong>into</strong> leaf;<br />
Even as Love that laugheth after Life.<br />
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Sing me but only with your speech all day,<br />
As voluble leaflets do; let viols die;<br />
The least word of your lips is melody!<br />
Sing me at eve but only with your sigh!<br />
Like lifting seas it solaceth; brea<strong>the</strong> so,<br />
Slowly and low, <strong>the</strong> sense that no songs say.<br />
Sing me at midnight with your murmurous heart!<br />
Let youth’s immortal-moaning chords be heard<br />
Throbbing through you, and sobbing, unsubdued.<br />
2. Spring Offensive<br />
Extract from ‘The Promisers’ (Upper voices)<br />
The <strong>sun</strong> felt strong and bold upon my shoulder;<br />
It hung, it clung as it were my friend’s arm.<br />
The birds fifed on before, shrill-piping pipers,<br />
Right down to town; and <strong>the</strong>re <strong>the</strong>y ceased to charm.<br />
Extract from ‘Spring Offensive’ (SATB)<br />
Hour after hour <strong>the</strong>y ponder <strong>the</strong> warm field<br />
And <strong>the</strong> far valley behind, where <strong>the</strong> buttercups<br />
Had blessed with gold <strong>the</strong>ir slow boots coming up;<br />
When even <strong>the</strong> little brambles would not yield,<br />
But clutched and clung to <strong>the</strong>m like sorrowing arms;<br />
They brea<strong>the</strong> like trees unstirred.
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