Composer

:

Stephen Paulus

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2006

Average_duration

:

2:23

Stephen Paulus' "The Day Is Done" is a choral work that was composed in 2005. It was premiered on May 7, 2005, by the Dale Warland Singers at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, "The Day is Done," is a setting of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The music is gentle and reflective, with a sense of peacefulness and closure. The choir sings Longfellow's words with a sense of reverence, as if they are bidding farewell to the day and all that it has brought. The second movement, "The Night," is a setting of a poem by William Blake. The music is more mysterious and haunting, with a sense of darkness and uncertainty. The choir sings Blake's words with a sense of foreboding, as if they are entering into a world of shadows and secrets. The third movement, "The Dawn," is a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti. The music is bright and joyful, with a sense of hope and renewal. The choir sings Rossetti's words with a sense of anticipation, as if they are welcoming the new day and all that it will bring. Throughout the piece, Paulus uses rich harmonies and lush textures to create a sense of depth and complexity. He also employs a variety of vocal techniques, such as whispering, humming, and chanting, to add interest and variety to the sound. Overall, "The Day Is Done" is a beautiful and moving work that captures the essence of the cycle of day and night, and the emotions that come with it.

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