Composer

:

Don Kay

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:25

"The Lamb" is a choral work composed by Don Kay, an Australian composer, in 1975. The piece was premiered in the same year by the Sydney Children's Choir, conducted by Lyn Williams. The work is a setting of the poem "The Lamb" by William Blake, which is part of his collection of poems called "Songs of Innocence." The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the poem. The first movement, "Little Lamb, who made thee?" is a gentle and lyrical setting of the opening lines of the poem. The music is simple and diatonic, with a gentle rocking rhythm that evokes the image of a lamb being cradled in someone's arms. The second movement, "He is called by thy name," is a more complex and dramatic setting of the middle section of the poem. The music is more dissonant and angular, with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo that reflect the more intense emotions of the text. The choir sings with greater intensity and urgency, as if they are trying to convey the importance of the message. The final movement, "Little Lamb, God bless thee," returns to the gentle and lyrical mood of the opening. The music is more expansive and harmonically rich, with a sense of wonder and awe that reflects the spiritual message of the poem. The choir sings with a sense of reverence and gratitude, as if they are offering a prayer of thanks for the beauty and innocence of the lamb. Overall, "The Lamb" is a beautiful and evocative choral work that captures the innocence and wonder of William Blake's poem. Don Kay's music is sensitive and expressive, with a deep understanding of the text and its emotional resonance. The piece has become a beloved part of the choral repertoire, and is frequently performed by choirs around the world.

More....