Composer

:

Charles Wood

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:34

'How dear to me' is a choral work composed by Charles Wood, an English composer and organist, in 1910. The piece was premiered in the same year at the Leeds Festival, where it was performed by the Leeds Festival Chorus under the direction of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, titled "How dear to me," is a setting of a poem by Thomas Moore. The second movement, "The Nightingale," is based on a poem by Samuel Rogers, and the third movement, "The Skylark," is based on a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. The first movement is characterized by its gentle, flowing melody and lush harmonies. The choir sings the text in unison, with occasional harmonies and counterpoint. The second movement is more lively and energetic, with a faster tempo and more complex harmonies. The choir sings in four-part harmony, with frequent changes in texture and dynamics. The third movement is the most dramatic of the three, with a soaring melody and powerful harmonies. The choir sings in six-part harmony, with frequent shifts in texture and dynamics. Overall, 'How dear to me' is a beautiful and expressive choral work that showcases Wood's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its rich harmonies, flowing melodies, and dramatic contrasts, and it remains a popular choice for choirs today.

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