Composer

:

Carl Rütti

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:08

"I Wonder as I Wander" is a choral composition by Swiss composer Carl Rütti. The piece was composed in 2001 and premiered on December 16, 2001, by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, under the direction of Stephen Cleobury. The composition is a setting of the Appalachian folk hymn of the same name, which was collected by folklorist John Jacob Niles in 1933. The hymn tells the story of a young girl who is wandering through the mountains and is struck by the beauty of the nativity scene she sees. The melody is haunting and contemplative, and Rütti's setting captures the sense of wonder and awe that the girl experiences. "I Wonder as I Wander" is divided into three movements. The first movement is a simple and unadorned setting of the hymn melody, sung by the choir in unison. The second movement is a more complex and harmonically rich setting of the melody, with the choir singing in four-part harmony. The third movement is a return to the simplicity of the first movement, with the choir once again singing the melody in unison. Rütti's setting of "I Wonder as I Wander" is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and lush choral textures. The composer employs a variety of choral techniques, including antiphonal singing, overlapping phrases, and dynamic contrasts, to create a sense of depth and complexity in the piece. The result is a haunting and beautiful composition that captures the sense of wonder and awe that the hymn conveys.

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