Composer

:

Charles Wood

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:00

'Whispering Waves' is a choral work composed by Charles Wood, an Irish composer and teacher. The piece was composed in 1913 and premiered in the same year at the Royal College of Music in London. It is a four-movement work that is characterized by its use of lush harmonies, lyrical melodies, and evocative text settings. The first movement, titled "The Sea," sets a text by the English poet Christina Rossetti. The music is marked by a flowing, undulating rhythm that evokes the motion of the sea. The harmonies are rich and complex, with frequent use of suspensions and dissonances that create a sense of tension and release. The second movement, "The Waves," sets a text by the Irish poet Padraic Colum. The music is more subdued than the first movement, with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The harmonies are still lush and complex, but there is a greater sense of introspection and reflection. The third movement, "The Wind," sets a text by the English poet Walter de la Mare. The music is marked by a swirling, gusting rhythm that evokes the movement of the wind. The harmonies are more dissonant and angular than in the previous movements, creating a sense of turbulence and unrest. The final movement, "The Tide," sets a text by the English poet John Masefield. The music is marked by a sense of resolution and closure, with a slower tempo and a more peaceful mood. The harmonies are still rich and complex, but there is a greater sense of serenity and calm. Overall, 'Whispering Waves' is a beautiful and evocative choral work that showcases Charles Wood's skill as a composer. The lush harmonies, lyrical melodies, and evocative text settings create a sense of movement and emotion that is both powerful and moving.

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