Composer

:

Igor Stravinsky

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Anthem

Compose Date

:

1962

First Performance

:

Feb 19, 1962

Average_duration

:

2:54

Anthem: The Dove Descending Breaks the Air is a choral work composed by Igor Stravinsky in 1961. It was premiered on July 29, 1962, at the opening of the new Coventry Cathedral in England, which had been destroyed during World War II. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement, "The Dove Descending Breaks the Air," is a setting of a text by T.S. Eliot. It begins with a solo soprano voice singing a simple melody, which is then taken up by the choir. The music is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and angular melodies, which create a sense of tension and unease. The movement ends with a quiet, ethereal passage in which the choir sings the word "peace" repeatedly. The second movement, "The Dove Flew to the Cedar Tree," is based on a text from the Song of Solomon. It is a more joyful and celebratory piece, with a lively rhythm and bright harmonies. The choir sings in unison for much of the movement, creating a sense of unity and togetherness. The final movement, "Let All the World in Every Corner Sing," is a setting of a poem by George Herbert. It begins with a solo tenor voice singing a simple melody, which is then taken up by the choir. The music is characterized by its use of shifting harmonies and complex rhythms, which create a sense of movement and energy. The movement ends with a triumphant passage in which the choir sings the word "alleluia" repeatedly. Overall, Anthem: The Dove Descending Breaks the Air is a powerful and moving work that reflects Stravinsky's unique style and approach to composition. It is a testament to the enduring power of music to inspire and uplift, even in the face of destruction and despair.

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