Composer

:

Percy Whitlock

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

1:27

"O gentle presence" is a choral work composed by Percy Whitlock, a British composer and organist, in 1937. The piece was premiered in the same year at St. Stephen's Church in Bournemouth, England. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, marked "Andante con moto," is characterized by a gentle, flowing melody in the choir, accompanied by a simple organ accompaniment. The second movement, marked "Allegro moderato," is more lively and rhythmic, with a more complex organ accompaniment. The final movement, marked "Andante sostenuto," returns to the gentle, flowing melody of the first movement, but with a more complex and harmonically rich accompaniment. The text of "O gentle presence" is a poem by the English poet and hymn writer, John Greenleaf Whittier. The poem speaks of the presence of God in our lives, and the comfort and peace that this presence brings. Whitlock's setting of the text is sensitive and expressive, with a particular emphasis on the beauty of the words and their meaning. Overall, "O gentle presence" is a beautiful and moving choral work, characterized by its gentle melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive text setting. It is a testament to Whitlock's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the power of music to convey emotion and meaning.

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