Composer

:

William Walton

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1931

Average_duration

:

2:04

"King Herod and the Cock" is a choral work composed by William Walton in 1928. It was premiered on December 19, 1928, at the Royal College of Music in London. The piece is based on a traditional English folk song, which tells the story of King Herod's attempt to kill the baby Jesus and the cock's warning to the Holy Family. The work is divided into three movements. The first movement, "The King," is a dramatic and powerful setting of the text describing King Herod's rage and determination to kill the baby Jesus. The music is characterized by strong rhythms and dissonant harmonies, reflecting the tension and violence of the story. The second movement, "The Cock," is a more lyrical and reflective setting of the text describing the cock's warning to the Holy Family. The music is characterized by a gentle, flowing melody and rich harmonies, reflecting the peaceful and hopeful nature of the story. The final movement, "The Dance," is a lively and energetic setting of the text describing the celebration of the Holy Family's escape from King Herod. The music is characterized by fast rhythms and joyful melodies, reflecting the festive and triumphant nature of the story. Overall, "King Herod and the Cock" is a powerful and expressive choral work that showcases Walton's skillful use of harmony, rhythm, and melody. The piece is a testament to the enduring power of traditional folk songs and their ability to inspire new works of art.

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