Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Hymn

Compose Date

:

ca. 1905

Publication Date

:

1906

Average_duration

:

5:34

'Hail Thee, Festival Day! Salve festa dies' is a hymn tune composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906. The piece was premiered on May 12, 1906, at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill, London. The hymn tune is commonly used during the Christian liturgical season of Pentecost, which celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. The piece is composed in a simple quadruple meter and is characterized by its joyful and celebratory nature. The melody is based on a medieval plainchant melody, which Vaughan Williams adapted and harmonized to create a new hymn tune. The piece is typically performed by a choir and congregation, with the choir singing the verses and the congregation joining in on the refrain. The hymn tune is divided into four movements, each corresponding to a different verse of the hymn. The first movement is a joyful and exuberant introduction, setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The second movement is more subdued, with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The third movement is a return to the joyful and celebratory nature of the piece, with a faster tempo and more complex harmonies. The final movement is a triumphant conclusion, with the choir and congregation joining together in a final refrain. Overall, 'Hail Thee, Festival Day! Salve festa dies' is a beloved hymn tune that has become a staple of Christian liturgical music. Its joyful and celebratory nature makes it a perfect choice for Pentecost and other festive occasions, and its simple yet beautiful melody has made it a favorite of choirs and congregations around the world.

More....