Composer

:

Herbert Howells

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Anthem

Compose Date

:

1919

Average_duration

:

3:12

Herbert Howells' "A Spotless Rose" is a choral work that was composed in 1919. It was premiered in the same year by the choir of King's College, Cambridge. The piece is a setting of a Christmas text by the English poet, Catherine Winkworth. The work is divided into four movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood and musical style. The first movement is a gentle and flowing setting of the text's opening lines, "A spotless rose is blowing, sprung from a tender root." The second movement is more lively and rhythmic, with the choir singing in a joyful and celebratory manner. The third movement is a slower and more contemplative setting of the text's middle section, "It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter." The final movement is a return to the joyful and celebratory mood of the second movement, with the choir singing in a triumphant and exultant manner. Throughout the work, Howells employs a variety of choral techniques, including rich harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive dynamics. The piece is notable for its use of modal harmonies, which give it a distinctly English sound. Overall, "A Spotless Rose" is a beautiful and evocative choral work that captures the spirit of Christmas with its joyful and contemplative moods. Its rich harmonies and expressive melodies make it a beloved piece in the choral repertoire.

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