Author Description
for SATB wordless chorus, viola solo, and orchestraA suite for solo viola, wordless chorus (SATB), and small orchestra, Flos Campi is one of Vaughan Williams's most enigmatic pieces. Although the six movements all borrow their titles from the Old Testament's Song of Solomon, the chorus never articulates a single word. Instead, it serves as a section of the orchestra, creating an elegant vocal texture and backdrop to the viola's haunting solo lines. The work was premiered in October 1925 by the violist Lionel Tertis, singers from the RCM, and the Queen's Hall Orchestra, directed by Sir Henry Wood.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the intersection of instrumental and vocal textures through a suite for solo viola, wordless chorus, and orchestra. Ralph Vaughan Williams, a prominent 20th-century British composer, utilizes the thematic inspiration of the Song of Solomon to structure this musical composition. The piece functions as an exploration of timbre, where the human voice is treated as an orchestral instrument rather than a vehicle for lyrical content.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A six-movement musical suite structure
- Instrumentation for solo viola, SATB chorus, and small orchestra
- Thematic references to the Old Testament
Scope Limits
- The work does not contain sung text or libretto
- It does not provide a narrative or biographical account of the composer
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Musicologists and performers frequently categorize this piece as a significant example of early 20th-century English impressionism. Experts highlight the technical challenge of balancing the wordless vocal lines with the solo viola to achieve the intended atmospheric effect.
Page Count:
52
Publication Date:
2014-08-21
Publisher:
Oxford University Press Music
ISBN-10:
0193399431
ISBN-13:
9780193399433
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