Composer

:

Edward Elgar

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

ca. 1887 - 1892

Average_duration

:

3:27

"Like to the Damask Rose" is a choral work composed by Edward Elgar in 1890. It was premiered in Worcester Cathedral on September 30, 1890, as part of the Three Choirs Festival. The piece is set to a poem by Richard Crashaw, a 17th-century English poet. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is characterized by a gentle, flowing melody in the choir. The second movement is marked "Allegretto" and features a more lively, dance-like rhythm. The final movement is marked "Andante" and returns to the gentle, flowing melody of the first movement. The piece is scored for four-part choir and organ, with the organ providing a rich, full accompaniment to the choir. The harmonies are lush and romantic, typical of Elgar's style, and the piece is notable for its use of chromaticism and modulations. The text of the poem is a meditation on the beauty of a rose, and the piece reflects this theme with its lyrical melodies and rich harmonies. The choir sings of the rose's beauty and its fleeting nature, and the music captures the sense of transience and fragility that is inherent in the poem. Overall, "Like to the Damask Rose" is a beautiful and evocative choral work that showcases Elgar's skill as a composer. Its lush harmonies and lyrical melodies make it a favorite of choirs and audiences alike.

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