Composer

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Jeremiah Ingalls

Genre

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Miscellaneous

Style

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Miscellaneous

Average_duration

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2:06

Jeremiah Ingalls was an American composer and singing master who lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is best known for his contributions to the shape-note tradition of sacred music in New England. One of his most famous compositions is "Leander," a four-part anthem that was first published in 1805. "Leander" is a setting of a text by Isaac Watts, a prominent English hymn writer of the 18th century. The text tells the story of Leander, a mythical Greek hero who swam across the Hellespont every night to be with his lover, Hero. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which corresponds to a different part of the story. The first movement, marked "Andante," sets the scene with a gentle, flowing melody in the soprano and alto parts. The tenor and bass parts provide a steady harmonic foundation. The second movement, marked "Allegro," depicts Leander's swim across the Hellespont with a lively, rhythmic melody that alternates between the different parts. The third movement, marked "Adagio," is the emotional heart of the piece. It begins with a mournful melody in the alto part, which is then taken up by the other parts in turn. The text describes Hero's grief at Leander's death, and the music reflects this with its somber harmonies and expressive melodies. The final movement, marked "Allegro," brings the piece to a triumphant conclusion. The text describes Leander's transformation into a constellation in the sky, and the music reflects this with its soaring melodies and joyful harmonies. Overall, "Leander" is a beautiful example of the shape-note tradition of sacred music in New England. It showcases Ingalls' skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both expressive and uplifting. The piece has remained popular to this day and is still performed by choirs and singing groups around the world.

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