Composer

:

Henry VIII, King of England

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

1:56

'Without discord' is a choral work composed by Henry VIII, King of England, in the early 16th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written sometime between 1513 and 1521. The piece was likely composed for performance at court, as Henry VIII was known to be a patron of the arts and a lover of music. 'Without discord' is a four-part choral work, with each part sung by a different voice range: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. The piece is written in a simple, homophonic style, with all four voices singing the same melody at the same time. The text of the piece is a short poem, which reads: Without discord Great joy doth rise And peace and concord Doth all men prize The poem speaks to the importance of harmony and unity, both in music and in life. The simplicity of the text is reflected in the simplicity of the music, which is characterized by its clear, straightforward melodies and harmonies. 'Without discord' is believed to have been premiered at court, likely in the presence of Henry VIII himself. The piece would have been performed by a small choir of singers, accompanied by a lute or other plucked string instrument. The performance would have been a relatively informal affair, with the singers standing in a circle around the instrument and singing without any formal conductor or leader. Overall, 'Without discord' is a charming and simple piece of choral music, which reflects the values of its composer and the time in which it was written. While it may not be as complex or sophisticated as some of the other music of the period, it remains a testament to the enduring power of harmony and unity in both music and life.

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