Composer

:

John McCabe

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2009

First Performance

:

2009

Average_duration

:

9:55

'Woefully Arrayed (after William Cornysh)' is a choral work composed by John McCabe in 1991. The piece was premiered on 23rd November 1991 by the BBC Singers at St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, London. The work is based on a 16th-century English carol by William Cornysh, which tells the story of the Virgin Mary's grief at the crucifixion of her son, Jesus Christ. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the story. The first movement, 'Woefully Arrayed', is a lamentation in which the Virgin Mary expresses her sorrow at the sight of her son on the cross. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in unison to create a sense of unity and solidarity in grief. The second movement, 'When From My Love', is a more upbeat and hopeful section in which the Virgin Mary reflects on the love she has for her son and the joy she felt at his birth. The music is more lively and rhythmic, with the choir singing in harmony to create a sense of celebration and joy. The final movement, 'Ah, Gentle Jesu', is a prayer in which the Virgin Mary asks for forgiveness for her sins and for the sins of humanity. The music is slow and contemplative, with the choir singing in harmony to create a sense of peace and reflection. Overall, 'Woefully Arrayed (after William Cornysh)' is a powerful and moving choral work that explores the themes of grief, love, and forgiveness. The music is beautifully crafted, with rich harmonies and expressive melodies that capture the emotional depth of the story.

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