Composer

:

John Tavener

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1992

Average_duration

:

3:39

"The Child Lived" is a choral work composed by John Tavener in 1989. It was premiered on December 17, 1989, by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, conducted by George Guest. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, "The Child Lived," is a setting of a text by the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in unison for much of the movement. The harmonies are simple and tonal, with occasional dissonances adding to the sense of sadness and loss in the text. The movement ends with a quiet, unresolved chord, leaving the listener with a sense of unease. The second movement, "The Mother of God," is a setting of a text from the Orthodox liturgy. The music is more upbeat and joyful than the first movement, with the choir singing in harmony and occasional bursts of polyphony. The harmonies are still tonal, but with more complex chord progressions than in the first movement. The movement ends with a triumphant chord, reflecting the joyous nature of the text. The third movement, "The Angel," is a setting of a text by the English poet William Blake. The music is ethereal and otherworldly, with the choir singing in a high register and occasional soloists adding to the sense of mystery. The harmonies are more dissonant than in the previous movements, with clusters of notes creating a sense of tension and unease. The movement ends with a quiet, unresolved chord, leaving the listener with a sense of mystery and wonder. Overall, "The Child Lived" is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Tavener's skill as a composer of choral music. The three movements each have their own distinct characteristics, but together they form a cohesive whole that explores themes of loss, joy, and mystery.

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