Audio Sample
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Performance by Vox Futura, Andrew Shenton, Heinrich Christensen from the CD Voices of the earth and air |
$POA
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CD
Voices of the earth and air : Vol. II, works for chorus.
Library shelf no. CD 3038 [Available for loan]
Score
Crucifixus, op.13A : an anthem or Lenten carol / Jonathan David Little ; text from excerpts of text attributed to John Skelton.
Library shelf no. 782.5525/LIT 1 [Not for loan]
Work Overview
Crucifixus is an Anthem for Triple Choir (in 12 parts) with organ accompaniment (Choir I: AATTBB + Choir II: SSA + Choir III: SSA). It is one of a set of ambitious, large-scale, contemporary 'polychoral' works.
Written to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the National Boys' Choir of Australia (founded 1964), and dedicated to the memory of Harold Bird, OAM (1922-2015), the score is marked, "Slow and Spacious", and "Maestoso (In Wonder)" - with the refrain becoming ever-more decorated on each return. Despite the subject matter, the mood of the refrain is more one of glory and awe, rather than mere dolefulness. The intimate verse, by contrast, is marked, "Teneramente e sostenuto" ("Tenderly and sustained").
Crucifixus (Op.13a) is actually the most concise version of a much longer work, entitled Woefully Arrayed (Op.13), the latter of which contains three verses and four refrains, runs a full 26 minutes, and has something of an hypnotic, time-defeating quality about it. Abridged versions of Woefully Arrayed can be performed by commencing the work from either the Second or - as here - Third Refrain.
The nature of its text makes it most appropriate for the Lenten season, in the lead up to Eastertide, and supremely fitting for performance on Good Friday.
Work Details
Year: 2018
Instrumentation: 12-part SATB choir: AATTBB choir + SSA choir + SSA choir ; or AATTB choir with SSA choir and SSA soloists), plus optional organ/piano and pedal bass instrument.
Duration: 13 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
First performance: by Chichester Singers at 60th Anniversary of the twinning of Chartres with Chichester (Chichester Cathedral) on 22 Jun 2019
Text from excerpts of text attributed to John Skelton (1463-1529).
Written while the composer was recipient of an Australia Council Individual International Arts Projects Award.
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Spiritual and Sacred Music
- In the form/style of: Easter Music
Performances of this work
22 Jun 2019: at 60th Anniversary of the twinning of Chartres with Chichester (Chichester Cathedral). Featuring Chichester Singers.
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