Composer

:

Tarik O'Regan

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

2006

First Performance

:

Nov 25, 2006

Average_duration

:

6:19

Threshold of Night is a choral work composed by Tarik O'Regan in 2005. It was premiered on October 22, 2005, by the BBC Singers at St. Paul's Church in Knightsbridge, London. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "The Night is Darkening Round Me," is a setting of a poem by Emily Bronte. The music is haunting and atmospheric, with the choir singing in a slow and mournful manner. The harmonies are dissonant, adding to the sense of unease and darkness in the text. The movement ends with a quiet and unresolved chord, leaving the listener with a sense of uncertainty. The second movement, "The Darkened Valley," is based on a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. The music is more rhythmic and energetic than the first movement, with the choir singing in a more declamatory style. The harmonies are still dissonant, but there is a sense of forward motion and urgency in the music. The movement ends with a powerful and triumphant chord, suggesting that there is hope even in the darkest of times. The final movement, "Threshold of Night," is a setting of a poem by Kathleen Raine. The music is ethereal and otherworldly, with the choir singing in a hushed and reverent manner. The harmonies are more consonant than in the previous movements, creating a sense of peace and resolution. The movement ends with a quiet and serene chord, suggesting that the darkness has been overcome and that there is a sense of calm and tranquility. Overall, Threshold of Night is a powerful and evocative choral work that explores the themes of darkness, uncertainty, and hope. The music is complex and challenging, but also deeply moving and rewarding for both performers and listeners.

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