Sheet Music: ScoreWaiting for the Barbarians / Andrew Ford.by Andrew Ford (2011)
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Product details
Most poetry is either written in the first person or, at least, from the poet's point of view, so it seldom makes much sense to have it sung by a choir. But 'Waiting for the Barbarians' by C. P. Cavafy is that rare thing: a poetic crowd scene. It needs a chorus.
The Greek poet Constantine Cavafy (1863 - 1933) wrote 'Waiting for the Barbarians' in 1904. It is not a poem that will date. We will always feel disappointed in our politicians, and there will always be those among us who feel that anything - even capitulation to barbarians - is better than the status quo.
There are several good English translations of the poem, including one by John Mavrogordato and a recent one by Daniel Mendelsohn, but when I came to look for the version to set to music they all seemed a little too flat and formal for my needs. This was Cavafy's detached style, but it seemed to me that, sung, the words might sound a little odd. So I decided to make my own version, putting in more repetition (Cavafy already had some), adding a few colloquialisms and gingering up the tone with a little emotion.
Published by: Australian Music Centre — 1 facsimile score (37p. -- A4 (portrait))
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 9 mins
Dedicated to Barry Jones
Commissioned by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.
First performance by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Graham Abbott at Vespers & Waiting for the Barbarians (St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta) on 20 Jul 2012
Including programme notes and full text.
Typeset edition.
ISMN: 979-0-720121-05-5
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