Composer

:

Roger Marsh

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1977

Average_duration

:

14:56

"Not a Soul But Ourselves" is a contemporary choral work composed by Roger Marsh. The piece was composed in 2014 and premiered on November 22, 2014, at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, "The Garden," is a setting of a poem by the American poet Louise Glück. The music is characterized by lush harmonies and a sense of yearning, reflecting the poem's themes of loss and longing. The choir sings in unison for much of the movement, creating a sense of unity and shared experience. The second movement, "The House," is a setting of a poem by the British poet Alice Oswald. The music is more dissonant and fragmented than the first movement, reflecting the poem's themes of isolation and disconnection. The choir sings in a variety of textures, including unison, harmony, and counterpoint, creating a sense of tension and unease. The third movement, "The Sea," is a setting of a poem by the American poet Emily Dickinson. The music is characterized by flowing, undulating lines and a sense of expansiveness, reflecting the poem's themes of freedom and possibility. The choir sings in a variety of textures, including unison, harmony, and canon, creating a sense of movement and momentum. Overall, "Not a Soul But Ourselves" is a powerful and evocative work that explores themes of loss, isolation, and freedom. Marsh's use of poetry as a basis for the music gives the work a sense of depth and meaning, while his skillful use of choral textures and harmonies creates a rich and varied sonic landscape.

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