Composer

:

Hubert Parry

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:51

Hubert Parry's "Songs of Farewell" is a collection of six choral pieces that were composed between 1908 and 1914. The first song in the collection, "My soul, there is a country," was composed in 1916, two years before Parry's death. The piece was premiered in 1918, after Parry's death, at a memorial service for the composer. "My soul, there is a country" is a setting of a poem by Henry Vaughan, a Welsh poet from the 17th century. The piece is written for four-part choir, with occasional divisi, and is characterized by its lush harmonies and expressive melodies. The piece is in the key of E-flat major and is marked "Adagio molto espressivo," indicating a slow and expressive tempo. The piece is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section begins with a unison statement of the opening line of the poem, "My soul, there is a country," which is then repeated by the choir in four-part harmony. The melody is simple and lyrical, with a gentle rise and fall that reflects the peaceful nature of the text. The harmonies are rich and warm, with occasional dissonances that add depth and color to the music. The second section of the piece is marked "Poco più mosso" and is more energetic than the first. The melody is more angular and the harmonies are more complex, with frequent modulations that add a sense of restlessness to the music. The text of this section speaks of the difficulties and trials of life, and the music reflects this with its more turbulent character. The final section of the piece returns to the peaceful character of the opening, with a restatement of the melody from the first section. The harmonies are even richer than before, with a sense of resolution and contentment that reflects the text's promise of a peaceful afterlife. The piece ends with a gentle fade-out, as the choir sings the final line of the poem, "And there I think no ill can come." Overall, "My soul, there is a country" is a beautiful and expressive piece of choral music that reflects Parry's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the text. Its lush harmonies and expressive melodies make it a favorite of choirs and audiences alike, and it remains a beloved part of the choral repertoire to this day.

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