Composer

:

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1898 - 1900

Scenes From The Song of Hiawatha, Op. 30 is a choral work composed by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor in 1898. The piece is based on the epic poem "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which tells the story of the Native American hero Hiawatha and his people. The work was premiered on October 11, 1898, at the Royal College of Music in London, conducted by the composer himself. The piece is divided into six movements, each depicting a different scene from the poem. The first movement, "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast," is a lively and celebratory piece that features a solo tenor and a chorus. The second movement, "The Hunting of Pau-Puk-Keewis," is a fast-paced and rhythmic piece that depicts a hunting expedition. The third movement, "The Death of Minnehaha," is a mournful and somber piece that features a solo soprano and a chorus. The fourth movement, "Hiawatha's Departure," is a dramatic and emotional piece that features a solo baritone and a chorus. The fifth movement, "The Famine," is a haunting and eerie piece that depicts a time of hardship and suffering. The final movement, "The Ghosts," is a mystical and otherworldly piece that features a chorus and a solo soprano. The characteristics of Scenes From The Song of Hiawatha, Op. 30 are rooted in Coleridge-Taylor's African and European musical influences. The piece features a blend of Western classical music and African-American spirituals, as well as elements of Native American music. The use of soloists and chorus, as well as the incorporation of percussion instruments, adds to the dramatic and emotional impact of the work. Overall, Scenes From The Song of Hiawatha, Op. 30 is a powerful and evocative choral work that showcases Coleridge-Taylor's unique musical style and his ability to blend different cultural influences into a cohesive and expressive whole.

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