Composer

:

John Joubert

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chorus

Average_duration

:

1:47

"Torches, Op. 7a" is a choral work composed by John Joubert, a South African-born British composer. The piece was composed in 1951 and premiered in the same year by the choir of Worcester College, Oxford. The work is a setting of a Christmas carol text by the English poet and hymnodist, Sidney Carter. "Torches, Op. 7a" is a four-movement work, with each movement featuring a different choral texture and mood. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic setting of the carol's opening lines, "Torches, torches, run with the light." The second movement is a slower and more contemplative setting of the carol's middle section, "Christ is born, tell the folk of the village." The third movement is a lively and joyful setting of the carol's final section, "Dance, then, wherever you may be." The final movement is a reprise of the opening movement, with the addition of a descant sung by the sopranos. The characteristics of "Torches, Op. 7a" include its lively and rhythmic choral writing, its use of contrasting textures and moods, and its effective use of the carol's text to create a festive and celebratory atmosphere. The work is also notable for its use of a descant in the final movement, which adds a bright and soaring quality to the choral sound. Overall, "Torches, Op. 7a" is a charming and effective setting of a beloved Christmas carol, showcasing Joubert's skill as a choral composer and his ability to create music that is both joyful and contemplative.

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