- Duration: 3 minutes
- Chorus: unaccompanied SATB
Upper and lower voices are divided into two distinct choral ‘worlds’ in this setting of William Wordsworth’s poem.
Minstrels (Vocal Score)
£2.75
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Description
Upper and lower voices are divided into two distinct choral ‘worlds’ in this setting of William Wordsworth’s poem.
The sopranos and altos narrate Wordsworth’s majestic text while tenors and basses take on the role of minstrels playing ’their Christmas tune’. In performance, it may be preferable to have physical space between the two groups but this should not be seen as obligatory. The lower voices, in so far that it is achievable, should aim to create a sense of a strummed guitar, and their tone should be sotto voce throughout. The much more prominent upper voices should provide shape and contrast within the strophic format. Above all else, the storytelling of the text must always be clearly conveyed to the audience.
The minstrels played their Christmas tune
To-night beneath my cottage-eaves;
While, smitten by a lofty moon,
The encircling laurels, thick with leaves,
Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen,
That overpowered their natural green.
Through hill and valley every breeze
Had sunk to rest with folded wings:
Keen was the air, but could not freeze,
Nor check, the music of the strings;
So stout and hardy were the band
That scraped the chords with strenuous hand.
And who but listened?-till was paid
Respect to every inmate’s claim,
The greeting given, the music played
In honour of each household name,
Duly pronounced with lusty call,
And ‘Merry Christmas’ wished to all.
Words: William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850)
