Composer

:

Fabrice Fitch

Genre

:

Chamber

Average_duration

:

5:22

'Agricola IX: Je nay dueil' is a contemporary choral work composed by Fabrice Fitch in 2012. The piece was premiered on 17th November 2012 at St. John's College Chapel, Cambridge, by the choir of St. John's College, conducted by Andrew Nethsingha. The piece is part of a larger work called 'Agricola', which is a cycle of nine choral pieces based on the poems of the 15th-century French poet, Guillaume Crétin. 'Je nay dueil' is the ninth and final piece of the cycle. The piece is written for a four-part choir (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) and is approximately four minutes long. It is characterized by its haunting and melancholic melody, which is supported by rich harmonies and dissonances. The text of the piece is in French and is taken from Crétin's poem of the same name. The piece begins with a solo soprano voice singing the first line of the poem, "Je nay dueil que je ne suis morte" (I have no sorrow except that I am not dead). The other voices then join in, creating a dense and complex texture. The piece is structured around a series of repetitions and variations of the opening melody, with each repetition becoming more intense and emotional. The harmonies in the piece are often dissonant, creating a sense of tension and unease. However, there are also moments of resolution and release, particularly towards the end of the piece. The final lines of the poem are sung by the full choir, with the words "Je suis en dueil, mais non pas morte" (I am in sorrow, but not dead) repeated several times, gradually fading away into silence. Overall, 'Agricola IX: Je nay dueil' is a powerful and emotive choral work that showcases Fabrice Fitch's skill as a composer. Its haunting melody and rich harmonies make it a memorable addition to the 'Agricola' cycle and a standout piece in contemporary choral music.

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