Composer

:

Kenneth Leighton

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Carol

Average_duration

:

3:19

Kenneth Leighton's 'Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child, Op. 25b' is a choral work that was composed in 1952. The piece is based on a traditional English carol that dates back to the 15th century. The work was premiered in 1952 by the choir of King's College, Cambridge, under the direction of Boris Ord. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is a gentle and serene setting of the carol's opening verse. The second movement is more dramatic and features a solo soprano singing the words "Herod the king, in his raging." The choir responds with a powerful and dissonant "Slew the little childer." The movement ends with a haunting and mournful "Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child." The final movement returns to the peaceful and serene mood of the opening. The choir sings the final verse of the carol, "O sisters too, how may we do, for to preserve this day, this poor youngling for whom we sing, by by, lully, lullay." The piece ends with a gentle and peaceful "Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child." Leighton's setting of the carol is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and lush textures. The piece is also notable for its use of dissonance, particularly in the second movement. The work is a beautiful and moving tribute to the traditional English carol and has become a beloved part of the choral repertoire.

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