Composer

:

Elizabeth Poston

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1956

Publication Date

:

1956

Average_duration

:

2:38

"The Water of Tyne" is a traditional English folk song that has been arranged and adapted by many composers over the years. One of the most famous arrangements is by Elizabeth Poston, a British composer who lived from 1905 to 1987. Poston's version of "The Water of Tyne" was composed in 1949 and premiered in the same year. Poston's arrangement of "The Water of Tyne" is a simple and elegant setting of the traditional melody. The piece is scored for SATB choir and piano, and it is divided into three movements. The first movement is a gentle and flowing setting of the melody, with the choir singing in unison and the piano providing a delicate accompaniment. The second movement is a more complex and harmonically rich setting of the melody, with the choir singing in four-part harmony and the piano providing a more intricate accompaniment. The third movement returns to the simplicity of the first, with the choir singing in unison and the piano providing a gentle and flowing accompaniment. One of the characteristics of Poston's arrangement of "The Water of Tyne" is its use of simple and elegant harmonies. Poston's harmonies are never overly complex or dissonant, but they are always beautiful and effective in supporting the melody. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of dynamics and phrasing to create a sense of ebb and flow. The piece begins softly and gently, builds to a climax in the second movement, and then returns to a gentle and flowing conclusion in the third movement. Overall, Elizabeth Poston's arrangement of "The Water of Tyne" is a beautiful and timeless setting of a beloved English folk song. Its simplicity and elegance make it accessible to choirs of all levels, while its beauty and emotional depth make it a favorite of audiences around the world.

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