Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1922

Average_duration

:

5:10

'O Vos Omnes' is a choral work composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1922. The piece is a setting of the Latin text from the Lamentations of Jeremiah, which translates to "O all ye that pass by, behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow." The work was premiered on October 18, 1922, at the Royal College of Music in London. The piece is divided into four movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Lento," and begins with a somber, mournful melody in the lower voices. The upper voices enter with a plaintive, descending line, creating a sense of sorrow and lamentation. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet, reflective ending. The second movement, marked "Allegro moderato," is more upbeat and hopeful in character. The melody is more lively and rhythmic, with a sense of forward motion and energy. The movement features a call-and-response between the upper and lower voices, with the choir coming together in a joyful, celebratory ending. The third movement, marked "Lento," returns to the somber mood of the first movement. The melody is more complex and dissonant, with a sense of tension and unease. The choir sings in a more fragmented, disjointed manner, reflecting the sense of despair and hopelessness in the text. The final movement, marked "Moderato," is a return to the more hopeful character of the second movement. The melody is more lyrical and flowing, with a sense of resolution and peace. The choir sings in a more unified, harmonious manner, reflecting the sense of comfort and solace in the text. Overall, 'O Vos Omnes' is a powerful and moving work that captures the range of emotions expressed in the text. Vaughan Williams' use of melody, harmony, and rhythm creates a sense of depth and complexity, reflecting the complexity of the human experience. The work remains a popular choice for choirs and audiences alike, and is considered one of Vaughan Williams' most enduring choral works.

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