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Work

Hymn of ancient lands : for SATB (divisi) chorus with soprano solo

by Joseph Twist (2015)

Hymn of ancient lands

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Score

Hymn of ancient lands : for SATB (divisi) chorus with soprano solo / Joseph Twist.

Library shelf no. 782.55525/TWI 3 [Not for loan]

Work Overview

Hymn of Ancient Lands is a setting of a short text known as "Caedmon's Hymn." Caedmon is believed to have been the earliest English poet and his poem (or hymn) is believed to be one of the oldest recorded poems written in the "Old English" dialect of the Anglo-Saxons. The Hymn exists in several vernacular translations, including Old English, Latin and modern English, and the use of these three vernacular versions provided the inspiration for this new musical setting for Trinity College Cambridge. The juxtaposition of these three languages expresses my fascination with viewing history and spirituality through a modern lens, fusing the
old with the new by paying homage to the ancient poem and reflecting its significance with my own musical ideas.

"Caedmon's Hymn" is a universal song which praises God's creation of Heaven and Earth, which he calls "Middangeard" (Middle-Earth), a name for inhabited lands in ancient mythology of the time. Extending upon this, Hymn of Ancient Lands expresses adoration of land and nature through a ritualistic musical journey which progresses from sparse and plaintive to energetic and joyful. From a modern point of view, Hymn of Ancient Lands expresses Australia's passion for traveling overseas and exploring many different lands, combined with a deep sense of belonging and respect for our own unique and magnificent landscape.

Work Details

Year: 2015

Instrumentation: SSAATTBB divisi a cappella, Soprano solo.

Duration: 7 min.

Difficulty: Medium — Divisi writing, close harmonies

Dedication note: Dedicated to the memory of Mary and Paul Pollard's son, Christopher.

Commission note: Commissioned by Musica Viva and Mary and Paul Pollard for The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, UK

First performance: by Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (QPAC Concert Hall) on 17 Jul 2016

Subjects

Performances of this work

8 May 2022: at Ancient Lands (St Augustine’s Catholic Church (Balmain)). Featuring Bel a cappella.

26 Mar 2022: at Bowral Autumn Music Festival 2022 (St Jude's, Bowral). Featuring Anthony Pasquill, Bel a cappella.

7 Aug 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Theatre Royal Hobart). Featuring Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton.

6 Aug 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Theatre Royal Hobart). Featuring Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton.

4 Aug 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Llewellyn Hall ANU School of Music). Featuring Stephen Layton, Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge.

2 Aug 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Newcastle City Hall). Featuring Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton.

30 Jul 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (City Recital Hall). Featuring Stephen Layton, Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge.

28 Jul 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Perth Concert Hall). Featuring Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton.

25 Jul 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (City Recital Hall). Featuring Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton.

23 Jul 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall). Featuring Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton.

21 Jul 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Adelaide Town Hall). Featuring Stephen Layton, Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge.

19 Jul 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall). Featuring Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Stephen Layton.

17 Jul 2016: at Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge (QPAC Concert Hall). Featuring Stephen Layton, Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge.

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