The Circling Year
"The Circling Year" was commissioned
by the British Federation of Young Choirs for a Singing Day in 1990 conducted
by Brian Kay. My brief was to write a
work in 5 or 6 movements lasting about 15 minutes, suitable for performance by
school choirs, with either piano or orchestral accompaniment. I have to confess
that I exceeded these requirements both in the number of movements and in the
overall duration! However, since the
Prologue is repeated as the Epilogue I hope that I can be forgiven the
indulgence of an extra movement, and the eventual 23 minutes duration is
explained partly by the additional movement but more by the natural space which
6/7 movements inevitably occupy if they are not to seem very peremptory.
Like
many composers before me I have chosen a set of texts which loosely follow the
cycle of seasons. The five main movements are enclosed within a Prologue and
Epilogue which set the well-known medieval "New Year's Carol". This deliberately aims to catch the direct
strophic character of the poem in a style which echoes traditional folk carols
such as "I saw three ships" or "On Christmas Night". Spring
is represented by a beautiful Red Indian poem about the beauty of nature and
the inevitability of the seasonal cycle. The recurring words ".. may I
walk .." are always set to the same melodic and rhythmic pattern and
contrast with the more expressive and extended vocal lines which form the bulk
of the movement.
"Wild Iron" paints a very vivid
picture of a summer storm in a setting for unison
voices
in 2 parts. The colour and sound of the words is matched by vivid orchestration
and energetic vocal lines. In contrast Blake's famous poem "Ah! Sunflower" is set for
unaccompanied 4-part chorus with a simplicity which aims to catch the
tranquillity of these magical words.
Autumn
is represented by three verses from Tennyson's poem "The Golden Year". Again
the theme is the inevitability of the seasons, but Tennyson adds to this a plea
for all men to be treated with dignity and for mankind to strive for universal
peace. My setting is for a 3-part choir of either high or low voices, or, as
today, in combination. Tennyson is also the poet for the next song, "Ring out, wild bells". This brings
us full circle to New Year, and these lines from "In Memoriam" marvellously convey the joy and optimism of the
festive season. The repeat of the "New
Year Carol" at one and the same time rounds the cycle off and yet
hints at a new beginning, as if the whole performance were about to start all
over again.
As
with all my music for young people I have tried to produce a work that is
challenging in style and intent, but yet in an idiom which is accessible and
within the technical capabilities of the performers. Above all I hope I have
managed to produce a work which is enjoyable for singers and players of all
standards and aspirations.
© Christopher Brown 1995