Composer

:

Joseph Summer

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

5:47

"They Bore Him Barefaced on the Bier" is a choral work composed by Joseph Summer in 2011. The piece was premiered on April 29, 2012, by the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, conducted by Andrew Clark. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "The Dead," is a setting of a poem by Rupert Brooke. The music is mournful and somber, with long, sustained chords and a slow, steady tempo. The second movement, "The Funeral," is based on a text by W.H. Auden. This movement is more rhythmic and energetic, with a driving pulse and a sense of urgency. The final movement, "The Epitaph," is a setting of a poem by Walter de la Mare. This movement is quiet and introspective, with a gentle, flowing melody and a sense of peacefulness. "They Bore Him Barefaced on the Bier" is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and lush textures. The music is often dissonant, with unexpected chord progressions and complex harmonies. The vocal writing is challenging, with intricate rhythms and complex harmonies that require precision and skill from the performers. The work is also notable for its use of silence and space, with moments of stillness and quietness that create a sense of contemplation and reflection. Overall, "They Bore Him Barefaced on the Bier" is a powerful and moving work that explores themes of death, mourning, and remembrance. Through its use of rich harmonies, complex textures, and challenging vocal writing, the piece creates a sense of emotional depth and complexity that resonates with audiences.

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