Composer

:

Craig Hella Johnson

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:57

'Will There Really Be a Morning?' is a choral work composed by Craig Hella Johnson in 2007. The piece was premiered by the Conspirare choir in Austin, Texas, on November 3, 2007. The work is based on a poem by Emily Dickinson, which explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the poem. The first movement, "Will there really be a morning?", is a haunting and introspective meditation on the uncertainty of life after death. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in a hushed and reverent tone. The second movement, "I'm afraid to find out", is more agitated and restless, reflecting the anxiety and fear that the speaker feels about the unknown. The music is more dissonant and angular, with the choir singing in a more urgent and frenzied manner. The final movement, "The hillsides must be beautiful", is a more hopeful and uplifting meditation on the beauty and wonder of the afterlife. The music is more expansive and majestic, with the choir singing in a more triumphant and celebratory tone. Throughout the piece, Johnson's music is characterized by its rich harmonies, lush textures, and expressive melodies. The music is deeply emotional and evocative, capturing the complex and nuanced emotions of the poem. The choir's singing is also notable for its clarity and precision, with each voice blending seamlessly with the others to create a unified and powerful sound. Overall, 'Will There Really Be a Morning?' is a deeply moving and powerful work that explores the timeless themes of life, death, and the afterlife. Johnson's music is a testament to the enduring power of choral music to express the deepest and most profound aspects of the human experience.

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