Composer

:

Gustav Holst

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1925

Average_duration

:

5:01

"Sing me the men ere this" is a choral work composed by Gustav Holst in 1916. It is the second movement of his larger work, "Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda, Group 3," Op. 43. The premiere of the work was given on March 22, 1916, at the Queen's Hall in London, conducted by Holst himself. The piece is scored for a mixed choir and piano accompaniment. It is based on a text from the Rig Veda, an ancient Indian collection of hymns, and is sung in English. The text speaks of the bravery and heroism of ancient warriors and calls upon them to inspire the present generation. The piece is characterized by its use of modal harmonies and irregular rhythms, which are typical of Holst's style. The opening section features a solo tenor voice singing the main melody, which is then taken up by the choir. The piano accompaniment provides a rhythmic pulse and adds to the overall intensity of the piece. The middle section of the work features a more subdued and reflective mood, with the choir singing in a more homophonic style. The piano accompaniment becomes more sparse, allowing the voices to take center stage. The final section of the piece returns to the opening material, with the choir singing in a more triumphant and heroic manner. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex, adding to the overall excitement of the piece. Overall, "Sing me the men ere this" is a powerful and evocative choral work that showcases Holst's unique style and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and meaningful.

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