Composer

:

Kathleen Allan

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

04:42

This Brightening Silence is a choral work composed by Kathleen Allan, a Canadian composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 2017 and premiered on May 5th of the same year by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, conducted by Jon Washburn. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, titled "The Sun Never Says," is a setting of a poem by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi. The music is characterized by flowing, lyrical lines in the choir, accompanied by a gentle, pulsing rhythm in the piano. The overall effect is one of warmth and serenity, reflecting the poem's message of the constancy of the sun's love. The second movement, "The Light of Stars," is a setting of a poem by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The music is more complex and dramatic than the first movement, with shifting harmonies and rhythms that reflect the poem's themes of wonder and awe at the beauty of the night sky. The choir sings in rich, full harmonies, with occasional moments of dissonance that add to the sense of mystery and wonder. The final movement, "This Brightening Silence," is a setting of a poem by the Canadian poet Don McKay. The music is spare and contemplative, with long, sustained chords in the choir that create a sense of stillness and introspection. The piano provides a gentle, shimmering accompaniment that evokes the poem's imagery of light and shadow. The overall effect is one of quiet beauty and transcendence. Overall, This Brightening Silence is a work of great beauty and depth, showcasing Kathleen Allan's skill as a composer and her ability to create music that speaks to the heart and soul. The piece is a testament to the power of choral music to inspire and uplift, and a fitting tribute to the poets whose words inspired it.

More....