Composer

:

Arthur Bliss

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Pastorale

Compose Date

:

1928

Publication Date

:

1929

First Performance

:

May 8, 1929

Average_duration

:

34:33

'Pastoral: Lie Strewn the White Flocks' is a choral work composed by Arthur Bliss in 1922. It was premiered on October 18, 1922, at the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Adrian Boult. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, 'Lie Strewn the White Flocks,' is a setting of a poem by Robert Bridges. It begins with a gentle, flowing melody in the choir, accompanied by a soft, undulating piano line. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir singing in rich, full harmonies. The movement ends with a return to the gentle opening melody, fading away into silence. The second movement, 'The Shepherds Sing,' is a lively and rhythmic setting of a traditional English folk song. The choir sings the melody in unison, accompanied by a jaunty piano part. The music is full of energy and movement, evoking the joy and exuberance of the shepherds as they sing. The final movement, 'Come, My Tan-faced Children,' is a setting of a poem by Walt Whitman. It begins with a solo soprano singing a haunting melody, accompanied by a soft, ethereal piano part. The choir enters with a gentle, flowing melody, building in intensity as the music progresses. The movement ends with a triumphant climax, with the choir singing in full, rich harmonies. Overall, 'Pastoral: Lie Strewn the White Flocks' is a beautiful and evocative choral work, full of rich harmonies and lush melodies. It captures the beauty and simplicity of rural life, and the joy and exuberance of the people who live it.

More....