Composer

:

Peter Aston

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1976

Average_duration

:

3:30

"So They Gave Their Bodies" is a choral work composed by Peter Aston in 1986. The piece was premiered by the choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, under the direction of George Guest. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by its use of text and musical style. The first movement, "The Soldier," is a setting of a poem by Rupert Brooke. The music is somber and mournful, with a slow tempo and a minor key. The choir sings in unison for much of the movement, creating a sense of unity and solidarity among the soldiers. The text speaks of the sacrifice that soldiers make in giving their lives for their country, and the music reflects this solemnity. The second movement, "The Poet," is a setting of a poem by Wilfred Owen. The music is more dissonant and angular than the first movement, reflecting the harsh realities of war. The choir sings in a more fragmented style, with individual voices breaking off from the group to sing their own lines. The text speaks of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on those who fight it. The final movement, "The Unknown Soldier," is a setting of a poem by David Jones. The music is more hopeful than the previous movements, with a brighter tonality and a faster tempo. The choir sings in harmony, creating a sense of resolution and closure. The text speaks of the sacrifice of the unknown soldiers who gave their lives for their country, and the music reflects this sense of gratitude and remembrance. Overall, "So They Gave Their Bodies" is a powerful and moving work that pays tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives in war. The use of different texts and musical styles in each movement creates a sense of variety and depth, while the overall structure of the piece creates a sense of unity and coherence. The work is a testament to the power of music to express complex emotions and ideas, and to bring people together in a shared experience of remembrance and reflection.

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