Composer

:

John Tavener

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Round

Compose Date

:

1990

Average_duration

:

1:36

A Christmas Round is a choral work composed by John Tavener in 1989. It was premiered on December 16, 1989, by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, under the direction of George Guest. The piece is written for four-part choir and is approximately three minutes in length. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different Christmas text. The first movement, "The Lamb," is a setting of William Blake's poem of the same name. The second movement, "The Tyger," is a setting of another Blake poem. The final movement, "A Christmas Round," is a setting of a traditional English carol. The first movement, "The Lamb," is characterized by its simplicity and innocence. The choir sings in unison for much of the movement, with occasional harmonies added for emphasis. The second movement, "The Tyger," is much more complex and intense. The choir sings in a more dissonant style, with overlapping lines and unexpected harmonies. The final movement, "A Christmas Round," is a joyful and celebratory piece. The choir sings in a more traditional choral style, with clear harmonies and a strong sense of rhythm. Overall, A Christmas Round is a beautiful and moving work that captures the spirit of the holiday season. Tavener's use of traditional texts and musical styles, combined with his own unique compositional voice, make this piece a timeless classic that is sure to be enjoyed by generations to come.

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