
SATB (with divisions) unaccompaniedMcGlade's setting of 'The Call' by George Herbert is simple but effective, reflecting the directness of the original poem. The three-bar phrases create a feeling of expectancy throughout the verses, and are beautifully intensified by harmonic shifts in one verse and a soaring descant in another.
This work investigates the musical interpretation of George Herbert's 17th-century devotional poetry through the lens of contemporary choral composition. McGlade, a composer specializing in vocal arrangements, utilizes the structural constraints of the original poem to inform a setting for SATB choir. The argument presented is that the directness of Herbert's text is best served by a minimalist harmonic approach that emphasizes rhythmic expectancy and vocal texture.
What You Will Find
Experts in choral music highlight this setting as an accessible yet nuanced interpretation of classic devotional text. Performers frequently note the effectiveness of the rhythmic structure in maintaining tension throughout the piece.
Page Count:
8
Publication Date:
2020-06-04
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0193540533
ISBN-13:
9780193540538
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