Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Cantata: Choral

Compose Date

:

1953 - 1954

Average_duration

:

58:33

Movement_count

:

16

Movement ....

Hodie is a choral work composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1954. The piece was premiered on December 8, 1954, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, conducted by the composer himself. Hodie is divided into three parts, each with several movements. The first part, entitled "Nowell," includes five movements that celebrate the birth of Christ. The second part, "The Word," has six movements that focus on the teachings of Christ. The final part, "The Coming of the Lord," has seven movements that look forward to the second coming of Christ. The characteristics of Hodie are typical of Vaughan Williams' style, with its use of modal harmonies, folk melodies, and lush orchestration. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including brass, percussion, and organ, as well as a large choir and soloists. The first part of Hodie, "Nowell," begins with a joyful fanfare and a setting of the traditional carol "The First Nowell." The second movement, "The Shepherds Sing," features a solo soprano singing a folk-like melody over a pastoral accompaniment. The third movement, "The Birth of the Saviour," is a dramatic setting of the nativity story, with the choir and orchestra building to a powerful climax. The fourth movement, "No Sad Thought His Soul Affright," is a gentle lullaby sung by a solo baritone. The final movement of the first part, "A Babe Is Born," is a lively setting of another traditional carol. The second part of Hodie, "The Word," begins with a setting of the prologue to the Gospel of John, "In the Beginning Was the Word." The second movement, "The Blessed Son of God," is a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti, with a solo soprano singing the text over a shimmering orchestral accompaniment. The third movement, "The Oxen," is a setting of a poem by Thomas Hardy, with a solo baritone singing the text over a gentle accompaniment. The fourth movement, "Bright Portals of the Sky," is a setting of a poem by Robert Bridges, with the choir and orchestra building to a majestic climax. The fifth movement, "The March of the Three Kings," is a lively setting of a traditional carol. The final movement of the second part, "Wolcum Yole," is a setting of a medieval English carol, with the choir and orchestra creating a festive atmosphere. The final part of Hodie, "The Coming of the Lord," begins with a setting of a poem by John Milton, "Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres." The second movement, "I Saw Three Ships," is a lively setting of a traditional carol. The third movement, "The Twelve Apostles," is a setting of a poem by Robert Bridges, with the choir and orchestra creating a sense of mystery and awe. The fourth movement, "Journey of the Magi," is a setting of a poem by T.S. Eliot, with a solo tenor singing the text over a haunting orchestral accompaniment. The fifth movement, "The Death of Saint Stephen," is a dramatic setting of the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, with the choir and orchestra creating a sense of tension and conflict. The sixth movement, "The Vision of the Shepherds," is a setting of a poem by Robert Bridges, with the choir and orchestra creating a sense of wonder and awe. The final movement of Hodie, "Hodie Christus Natus Est," is a joyful setting of the traditional Christmas text, with the choir and orchestra building to a triumphant conclusion. Overall, Hodie is a magnificent choral work that celebrates the birth of Christ and looks forward to his second coming.

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