Composer

:

Kenneth Leighton

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:55

"Of a rose is all my song" is a choral work composed by Kenneth Leighton in 1969. The piece was premiered on 22nd May 1969 at St. John's College, Cambridge, by the choir of St. John's College, conducted by George Guest. The work is a setting of a poem by the 14th-century English poet, John Audelay. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood and tempo. The first movement, marked "Moderato," is a gentle and lyrical setting of the poem's opening lines. The choir sings in unison, with occasional harmonies, creating a sense of simplicity and purity. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is more lively and rhythmic, with the choir singing in a faster tempo and with more complex harmonies. The final movement, marked "Andante," returns to the gentle and lyrical mood of the first movement, with the choir singing in a slower tempo and with a more contemplative character. The piece is characterized by Leighton's use of rich harmonies and complex textures, which create a sense of depth and complexity. The choral writing is also notable for its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which add a sense of tension and drama to the music. The work is also notable for its use of word painting, with the music reflecting the meaning of the text in subtle and evocative ways. Overall, "Of a rose is all my song" is a beautiful and expressive choral work that showcases Leighton's skill as a composer. Its combination of rich harmonies, complex textures, and subtle word painting make it a memorable and moving piece of music.

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