Composer

:

Herbert Howells

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1970

Average_duration

:

5:43

Herbert Howells' "Thee Will I Love" is a choral work that was composed in 1949. It was premiered on May 4, 1950, at St. John's College, Cambridge, by the choir of the college under the direction of George Guest. The piece is written for four-part choir (SATB) and organ. "Thee Will I Love" is a setting of a text by St. Augustine of Hippo, which speaks of the love of God and the desire to be close to Him. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Moderato" and begins with a gentle organ introduction. The choir enters with a quiet, prayerful melody that gradually builds in intensity. The harmonies are rich and complex, with frequent use of suspensions and dissonances. The movement ends with a quiet, peaceful cadence. The second movement is marked "Allegro moderato" and is more lively and rhythmic than the first. The organ plays a lively accompaniment while the choir sings a joyful melody. The harmonies are still complex, but there is a sense of energy and movement that was not present in the first movement. The final movement is marked "Lento" and is the most contemplative of the three. The organ plays a simple, mournful melody while the choir sings a text that speaks of the longing for God's love. The harmonies are more dissonant and unresolved than in the previous movements, reflecting the sense of longing and incompleteness expressed in the text. The movement ends with a quiet, unresolved chord, leaving the listener with a sense of yearning. Overall, "Thee Will I Love" is a beautiful and complex choral work that showcases Howells' skill as a composer. The use of rich harmonies and complex rhythms creates a sense of depth and emotion that is perfectly suited to the text. The piece is a testament to Howells' ability to create music that is both technically impressive and emotionally moving.

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