Composer

:

William Cornysh

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Part Song

Average_duration

:

8:50

"Woefully Arraid" is a choral work composed by William Cornysh, an English composer and poet who lived during the Renaissance period. The piece was likely composed in the early 16th century, although the exact date is unknown. It is believed to have been written for the Chapel Royal, where Cornysh was employed as a singer and composer. The piece is a setting of a text by the Scottish poet William Dunbar, which describes the fear and despair of a sinner facing judgment on the Day of Judgment. The text is written in Middle Scots, a dialect of the Scots language that was spoken in Scotland during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. "Woefully Arraid" is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the text. The first movement is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in unison to express the sinner's fear and despair. The second movement is faster and more rhythmic, with the choir singing in harmony to depict the chaos and confusion of the Day of Judgment. The third movement is slower and more contemplative, with the choir singing in harmony to express the sinner's hope for mercy and forgiveness. The piece is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease. The harmonies are often complex and unpredictable, with unexpected shifts in tonality and rhythm. The vocal lines are also highly expressive, with the choir using a range of dynamics and articulations to convey the emotional content of the text. Overall, "Woefully Arraid" is a powerful and haunting work that reflects the religious and cultural tensions of the Renaissance period. It remains a popular piece in the choral repertoire, and is often performed by choirs around the world.

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