Composer

:

Michael Tippett

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

1942

Average_duration

:

2:20

Michael Tippett's 'The Source' is a choral work that was composed in 1964. It was premiered on 17th December 1965 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, conducted by the composer himself. The work is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the human experience. The first movement, titled 'The Source of Life', is a celebration of the natural world and the life force that animates it. The music is characterized by its rhythmic vitality and its use of complex polyrhythms and cross-rhythms. The choir sings in a variety of languages, including English, Latin, and Swahili, and the music is accompanied by a percussion ensemble that includes African drums and other exotic instruments. The second movement, titled 'The Source of Love', is a meditation on the nature of love and its power to transform the human heart. The music is more introspective and contemplative than the first movement, with long, sustained chords and intricate harmonies. The choir sings in English, and the music is accompanied by a string orchestra that provides a rich, warm backdrop for the voices. The third and final movement, titled 'The Source of Light', is a celebration of the human spirit and its capacity for enlightenment and transcendence. The music is characterized by its soaring melodies and its use of bright, shimmering harmonies. The choir sings in a variety of languages, including English, Latin, and Sanskrit, and the music is accompanied by a full orchestra that includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Overall, 'The Source' is a powerful and deeply spiritual work that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Its use of diverse musical styles and languages reflects Tippett's belief in the universality of human experience and the power of music to transcend cultural boundaries.

More....