Phyllis Tate A Secular Requiem vocal score

for SATB, organ, and orchestra Originally written for tenor voice, flute, horn, two cellos, piano, and harpsichord, this second version is scored for mixed chorus, double winds, trumpet, trombone, four cellos, and organ. Both beginning and ending with a funeral, this is a setting of a bird-themed poem, attributed to Shakespeare, with many allegorical and historical interpretations. The story, of how the phoenix (female) and turtledove (male) fall in love and then die together in a fire, is rich in poetic associations. Tate's composition has been applauded for its directness of setting and the apt and imaginative music, instrumentation, and scoring.