Composer

:

Dominick Argento

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1968

'A Nation of Cowslips' is a choral work composed by Dominick Argento in 1970. The piece was premiered on May 1, 1970, by the Minnesota Orchestra and the Minnesota Chorale, conducted by Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical style. The first movement, titled "The Garden," is a lush and lyrical setting of a poem by Robert Graves. The music is characterized by flowing melodies and rich harmonies, evoking the beauty and tranquility of a garden in bloom. The second movement, "The War," is a stark contrast to the first. It is a setting of a poem by Isaac Rosenberg, which describes the horrors of war. The music is dissonant and angular, with jagged rhythms and harsh, biting harmonies. The choir sings of the "red crashing of guns" and the "screaming of the slain," painting a vivid picture of the brutality of war. The final movement, "The Peace," is a return to the peaceful and lyrical style of the first movement. It is a setting of a poem by Siegfried Sassoon, which celebrates the end of the war and the return of peace. The music is joyful and celebratory, with soaring melodies and lush harmonies. The choir sings of "the sunlit, laughing land" and "the happy crowds," expressing the hope and optimism of a world at peace. Overall, 'A Nation of Cowslips' is a powerful and moving work that explores the themes of war and peace through a variety of musical styles and moods. It is a testament to Argento's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of a text through his music.

More....