Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Hymn

Compose Date

:

1925

Publication Date

:

1925

Average_duration

:

2:25

Ralph Vaughan Williams composed "The Night Is Come Like to the Day Oakley" in 1953. The piece was premiered on October 22, 1953, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. The work is a choral setting of a poem by Thomas Campion, a 16th-century English poet and composer. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is marked "Moderato," and it begins with a gentle, flowing melody in the sopranos. The other voices gradually join in, creating a rich, harmonious texture. The music builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet, reflective ending. The second movement is marked "Allegro," and it is much more lively and energetic than the first. The music is characterized by fast, rhythmic passages and sudden shifts in dynamics. The choir sings the text with great enthusiasm, conveying the joy and excitement of the words. The final movement is marked "Andante," and it is the most contemplative of the three. The music is slow and meditative, with long, sustained notes and a sense of stillness. The choir sings the text with great tenderness, conveying the peacefulness and serenity of the night. Overall, "The Night Is Come Like to the Day Oakley" is a beautiful and evocative piece of music. Vaughan Williams' setting of Campion's poem captures the essence of the text, conveying both the joy and the stillness of the night. The work is a testament to Vaughan Williams' skill as a composer and his ability to create music that speaks to the human experience.

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