Choral Choir (SATB) - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.761463
Composed by Russell Ronnebaum. Contemporary. Octavo. 11 pages. Russell Ronnebaum #2912079. Published by Russell Ronnebaum (A0.761463).
Cradle Song for SATB Choir and Piano
Words by: William Blake
Music by: Russell Ronnebaum
About the piece:
William Blake’s serene language inspired this dramatic setting of his poem Cradle Song. The piece opens with a constantly descending scale as a mother sings to her sleeping child. As more voices are layered in, the texture becomes increasingly lush, but still soothing.
The third stanza of text is marked with peaceful harp-like figures (as thy softest limbs I feel) while the voices take over the calming decent into deeper, more peaceful sleep. The mother’s concern suddenly changes as the descending scale transforms and (the cunning wiles that creep) set in.
Anticipation of escaping the terror of potential nightmares escalates as the ascending textures grow more tense and dissonant. The tension finally peaks with a breathless silence before resolving with (then the dreadful night shall break).
The final phrase of the piece is a slightly transformed iteration of the opening vocal phrase and is a subtle nod to Johannes Brahms’ Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, Gute Nacht, more commonly known as Brahms’ Lullaby.
Cradle Song was commissioned by Rincon/University High School Concert Choir in Tucson, Arizona; Directed by Mareena Boosamra.
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