Composer

:

Mel Powell

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1996

Average_duration

:

9:57

Mel Powell's 'Levertov Breviary' is a choral work that was composed in 1985. The piece was premiered on April 27, 1986, by the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Vance George. The work is divided into five movements, each of which is based on a poem by Denise Levertov. The first movement, 'The Avowal,' is a setting of Levertov's poem of the same name. The movement begins with a solo soprano voice, which is then joined by the choir. The music is characterized by its use of dissonance and complex harmonies, which reflect the uncertainty and doubt expressed in the poem. The second movement, 'The Jacob's Ladder,' is a setting of Levertov's poem about the biblical story of Jacob's ladder. The music is characterized by its use of ascending and descending melodic lines, which reflect the imagery of the ladder in the poem. The third movement, 'The Annunciation,' is a setting of Levertov's poem about the biblical story of the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she will bear a child. The music is characterized by its use of a solo soprano voice, which represents Mary, and a choir, which represents the angel. The music is also characterized by its use of modal harmonies, which reflect the ancient setting of the story. The fourth movement, 'The Altar,' is a setting of Levertov's poem about the Eucharist. The music is characterized by its use of a solo tenor voice, which represents the priest, and a choir, which represents the congregation. The music is also characterized by its use of simple harmonies and a hymn-like melody, which reflect the solemnity and reverence of the Eucharist. The fifth and final movement, 'The Mass for the Day of St. Thomas Didymus,' is a setting of Levertov's poem about the apostle Thomas. The music is characterized by its use of a solo baritone voice, which represents Thomas, and a choir, which represents the other apostles. The music is also characterized by its use of complex harmonies and dissonance, which reflect the doubt and uncertainty expressed in the poem. Overall, 'Levertov Breviary' is a complex and challenging choral work that reflects the themes and imagery of Denise Levertov's poetry. The music is characterized by its use of dissonance, complex harmonies, and modal melodies, which reflect the uncertainty, doubt, and ancient setting of the poems.

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