Composer

:

Kenneth Leighton

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

5:01

'God's Grandeur' is a choral work composed by Kenneth Leighton in 1975. The piece was premiered on May 22, 1975, at St. John's College, Cambridge, by the choir of St. John's College, conducted by George Guest. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, on which the work is based. The first movement, "The World is Charged with the Grandeur of God," is a lively and energetic setting of the opening lines of the poem. The music is characterized by its rhythmic vitality and the use of syncopation, which gives the piece a sense of forward momentum. The second movement, "It Will Flame Out, Like Shining from Shook Foil," is a more contemplative setting of the middle section of the poem. The music is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and the use of dissonance to create a sense of tension and release. The final movement, "And for All This, Nature is Never Spent," is a triumphant setting of the final lines of the poem. The music is characterized by its use of fanfare-like brass and percussion, which give the piece a sense of grandeur and celebration. Overall, 'God's Grandeur' is a powerful and moving work that captures the essence of Hopkins' poem. Leighton's use of rich harmonies, rhythmic vitality, and dramatic contrasts make this piece a true masterpiece of choral music.

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