Composer

:

Arthur Bliss

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1969

Publication Date

:

1970

First Performance

:

Jun 27, 1969

Average_duration

:

14:00

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Arthur Bliss composed 'The World is Charged with the Grandeur of God, Op. 116, F. 36' in 1969. The piece was premiered on 22nd October 1969 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult. The work is a choral setting of the poem 'God's Grandeur' by Gerard Manley Hopkins. The piece is divided into three movements, each reflecting a different aspect of the poem. The first movement, 'The World is Charged', is a lively and rhythmic setting of the opening lines of the poem. The music is characterized by its use of syncopated rhythms and shifting harmonies, which create a sense of energy and movement. The second movement, 'It Will Flame Out', is a slower and more contemplative setting of the middle section of the poem. The music is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and soaring melodies, which convey a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the natural world. The final movement, 'Like Shining from Shook Foil', is a triumphant setting of the closing lines of the poem. The music is characterized by its use of bold, fanfare-like motifs and powerful choral writing, which convey a sense of joy and celebration. Overall, 'The World is Charged with the Grandeur of God' is a powerful and uplifting work that celebrates the beauty and majesty of the natural world. Bliss's use of rich harmonies, soaring melodies, and bold choral writing create a sense of awe and wonder that is perfectly suited to the text of Hopkins's poem.

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