Composer

:

Charles Villiers Stanford

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1904

Average_duration

:

2:51

'Songs of the Sea, No. 1, Drake's Drum Op. 91/1' is a choral work composed by Charles Villiers Stanford. It was composed in 1904 and premiered in the same year. The work is part of a larger collection of choral pieces called 'Songs of the Sea', which was inspired by the sea and the sailors who sailed on it. The work is divided into three movements, with 'Drake's Drum' being the first. The piece is written for a four-part choir and orchestra, and the text is taken from a poem by Sir Henry Newbolt. The poem tells the story of Sir Francis Drake, a famous English sea captain, who is said to have beaten his drum as he lay dying, calling on his countrymen to continue the fight against their enemies. The first movement of 'Songs of the Sea, No. 1, Drake's Drum' is characterized by its stirring melody and powerful choral writing. The opening bars of the piece are marked by a strong, rhythmic drumbeat, which sets the tone for the rest of the work. The choir enters with a bold, declamatory statement, singing the words "Drake he's in his hammock an' a thousand miles away". The music then builds in intensity, with the choir and orchestra working together to create a sense of drama and excitement. The melody is full of sweeping, soaring lines, which are underpinned by a strong sense of rhythm and pulse. The choir sings the words "Take my drum to England, hang et by the shore, strike et when your powder's runnin' low; if the Dons sight Devon, I'll quit the port o' Heaven, an' drum them up the Channel as we drummed them long ago". The final section of the movement is marked by a return to the opening drumbeat, which gradually fades away as the choir sings the final words of the poem. The piece ends on a triumphant note, with the choir and orchestra coming together to create a powerful, stirring finale. Overall, 'Songs of the Sea, No. 1, Drake's Drum' is a powerful and evocative choral work, which captures the spirit of the sea and the sailors who sailed on it. The music is full of drama and excitement, with a strong sense of rhythm and pulse driving the piece forward. The work remains a popular choice for choirs and orchestras today, and is widely regarded as one of Stanford's finest compositions.

More....