Composer

:

John Rutter

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

21:16

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

When Icicles Hang is a choral work composed by John Rutter, a British composer, conductor, and arranger. The piece was composed in 1981 and premiered in the same year by the Cambridge Singers, a choir founded and directed by Rutter himself. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "When Icicles Hang," is a setting of a text from Shakespeare's play "Love's Labour's Lost." The second movement, "Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind," is also based on a text from Shakespeare, this time from "As You Like It." The third movement, "Winter Nights," is a setting of a poem by Thomas Campion. The final movement, "Good Ale," is a traditional English folk song. The piece is characterized by Rutter's signature style, which combines traditional choral techniques with modern harmonies and rhythms. The first movement, for example, features a lively and rhythmic opening section, followed by a slower and more contemplative middle section, before returning to the lively opening material. The second movement is more subdued, with a gentle and flowing melody that evokes the image of a winter wind blowing through the trees. The third movement is more complex, with intricate harmonies and a more varied texture. The final movement is a lively and upbeat folk song, with a catchy melody and a driving rhythm. Overall, When Icicles Hang is a beautiful and evocative choral work that captures the spirit of winter through its use of rich harmonies, flowing melodies, and rhythmic energy. It is a testament to Rutter's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both timeless and contemporary.

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