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Songs of Courtship
| Composed |
1992 |
| Duration |
18' |
| Instrumentation |
SATB & Piano duet |
| Comments |
"Songs of Courtship" is a set of poems written by Mao Shih in the 7th century BC and translated from the Ancient Chinese by Arthur Waley in 1946. They are richly imaginative, and to quote the composer have "a simple directness which could have been written yesterday".
He set them to music for the Black Isle Singers. They vary greatly in metre and in their treatment of the enigmatic, oriental lyrics, some being lightfooted, some more robust, but always rhythmically challenging. The "Wedding Song" is a triumphant, rejoicing finale. |
| Performances |
Numerous...Almost every year since the premier in 1992 these songs have been performed, and quite often by the Consort of Voices (Edinburgh). |
| Reviews |
"Lilting melodies with moving inner parts and Chinese sounding Harmonies, created a poetry all of their own." Scotsman.
"...enchanting songs, richly deserving of worldwide attention, to choirs looking for something fresh to sing by one of Scotland's finest composers." Press & Journal.
"...full of delightful pastoral imagery, this collection adds significantly to choral song cycles available for choirs large and small and I hope the musical world will take notice of them." Ross-shire Journal. |
| Recordings |
CD. |
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