Composer

:

Gustav Holst

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1924 - 1925

Average_duration

:

10:09

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Gustav Holst's 'Motets (2), Op. 43, H. 159-160' is a choral work composed in 1916. The piece was premiered in the same year at the Queen's Hall in London. The work consists of two movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, 'I Love My Love', is a setting of a traditional Cornish folk song. Holst's arrangement of the melody is characterized by its simplicity and clarity. The piece is written in a homophonic style, with the choir singing in unison for much of the piece. The harmonies are simple and diatonic, with occasional chromaticism adding color and interest. The piece is marked by a gentle, flowing rhythm that supports the melody and gives the piece a sense of calm and serenity. The second movement, 'Seven Part-Songs, Op. 44, H. 162', is a collection of seven short pieces, each with its own unique character. The first piece, 'Jesu, Thou the Virgin-Born', is a setting of a medieval English carol. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies and complex counterpoint. The second piece, 'Lullay My Liking', is a setting of a medieval English lullaby. The piece is marked by its gentle, rocking rhythm and its use of modal harmonies. The third piece, 'Song and Bacchanal', is a lively, dance-like piece that features a driving rhythm and lively melodies. The fourth piece, 'In the Bleak Midwinter', is a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti. The piece is characterized by its simple, yet poignant melody and its use of rich harmonies. The fifth piece, 'The Sigh', is a setting of a poem by John Keats. The piece is marked by its gentle, flowing rhythm and its use of chromatic harmonies. The sixth piece, 'Before Sleep', is a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti. The piece is characterized by its gentle, rocking rhythm and its use of modal harmonies. The final piece, 'Good Friday', is a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti. The piece is marked by its somber, mournful character and its use of rich, chromatic harmonies. Overall, Holst's 'Motets (2), Op. 43, H. 159-160' is a beautiful and varied choral work that showcases the composer's skill in setting both traditional and modern texts to music. The work is characterized by its simple, yet effective melodies, its rich harmonies, and its use of varied rhythms and textures.

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