Composer

:

Hilary Tann

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1985

Average_duration

:

6:27

'Windhover' is a contemporary classical composition by Welsh-American composer Hilary Tann. The piece was composed in 2012 and premiered on March 3, 2013, by the New York Virtuoso Singers, conducted by Harold Rosenbaum. The composition is divided into three movements, each inspired by the poem "The Windhover" by Gerard Manley Hopkins. The first movement, "I caught this morning morning's minion," is characterized by its ethereal and delicate choral textures, which evoke the image of a bird soaring through the sky. The second movement, "Kingdom of daylight's dauphin," is more rhythmic and energetic, with driving percussion and brass accents that suggest the bird's powerful wings and swift movements. The final movement, "Brute beauty and valor and act," is a triumphant and majestic finale that celebrates the bird's grace and beauty. Throughout the piece, Tann employs a variety of compositional techniques to create a rich and complex sonic landscape. She uses extended vocal techniques, such as whispering and glissandi, to create a sense of fluidity and movement. She also incorporates elements of Welsh folk music, such as modal harmonies and lilting rhythms, to give the piece a sense of place and cultural identity. Overall, 'Windhover' is a stunning and evocative composition that captures the beauty and power of nature through its intricate and expressive musical language.

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