Lasting approximately 30 minutes, the Requiem for a Tribe Brother is one of Williamson's largest unaccompanied choral works, standing alongside the Symphony for Voices of 1962 and the Mass of Saint Etheldreda of 1990 in duration. Williamson divides up the extensive text of the traditional Requiem Mass into ten movements, as follows:
I. Requiem aeternam (Introit)
A brooding chant-like refrain for male voices, simulating the drone of a didgeridoo, alternates with homophonic passages for full choir.
II. Kyrie
A tender 3-minute chorale with a harmonic palette which is neither diatonic nor chromatic. This is typical of Williamson, as is consistent throughout the Requiem.
III. Domine Jesu Christe (Offertory)
Much in the manner of the opening Requiem aeternam, passages for soloists are contrasted with densely harmonised sections for the full choir. At nearly 5 minutes, this is the largest and most varied movement of the work.
IV. Pie Jesu
Highly operatic solos for tenor and alto are pitted against a richly coloured chordal backdrop for full choir.
V. Sanctus
After a grand and imposing statement of "Sanctus ... etc.", there is a lively dance-like coda in 5/8 metre on the word "Hosanna".
VI. Benedictus
A mysterious introduction is followed by a reprise of the "Hosannas" from the previous movement.
VII. Agnus Dei
In common with the second movement, the Agnus Dei is a slow chorale, featuring a highly pungent harmonic language and many unusual shifts of key.
VIII. Lux aeterna (Communion)
This movement features two soprano soli which float above the rest of the choir throughout.
IX. Libera me
A fast and fiery dance primarily for tenors, built on an ostinato figure in the basses. Towards the end of the movement, there is a brief reprise of material from the opening Requiem aeternam.
X. In Paradisum
The serene concluding movement, in C major, derives its melody from the opening of the Song of Hope from Williamson's choral-symphony for Kath Walker, The Dawn Is At Hand (1987–89).[2]
Recordingsedit
Naxos: Joyful Company of Singers, directed by Peter Broadbent.[3]
Referencesedit
^Malcolm Williamson: A 70th Birthday Tribute (Paul Conway)
requiem, tribe, brother, choral, work, australian, born, composer, malcolm, williamson, structure, editlasting, approximately, minutes, williamson, largest, unaccompanied, choral, works, standing, alongside, symphony, voices, 1962, mass, saint, etheldreda, 199. Requiem for a Tribe Brother is a choral work by the Australian born composer Malcolm Williamson 1 Structure editLasting approximately 30 minutes the Requiem for a Tribe Brother is one of Williamson s largest unaccompanied choral works standing alongside the Symphony for Voices of 1962 and the Mass of Saint Etheldreda of 1990 in duration Williamson divides up the extensive text of the traditional Requiem Mass into ten movements as follows I Requiem aeternam Introit A brooding chant like refrain for male voices simulating the drone of a didgeridoo alternates with homophonic passages for full choir II Kyrie A tender 3 minute chorale with a harmonic palette which is neither diatonic nor chromatic This is typical of Williamson as is consistent throughout the Requiem III Domine Jesu Christe Offertory Much in the manner of the opening Requiem aeternam passages for soloists are contrasted with densely harmonised sections for the full choir At nearly 5 minutes this is the largest and most varied movement of the work IV Pie Jesu Highly operatic solos for tenor and alto are pitted against a richly coloured chordal backdrop for full choir V Sanctus After a grand and imposing statement of Sanctus etc there is a lively dance like coda in 5 8 metre on the word Hosanna VI Benedictus A mysterious introduction is followed by a reprise of the Hosannas from the previous movement VII Agnus Dei In common with the second movement the Agnus Dei is a slow chorale featuring a highly pungent harmonic language and many unusual shifts of key VIII Lux aeterna Communion This movement features two soprano soli which float above the rest of the choir throughout IX Libera me A fast and fiery dance primarily for tenors built on an ostinato figure in the basses Towards the end of the movement there is a brief reprise of material from the opening Requiem aeternam X In Paradisum The serene concluding movement in C major derives its melody from the opening of the Song of Hope from Williamson s choral symphony for Kath Walker The Dawn Is At Hand 1987 89 2 Recordings editNaxos Joyful Company of Singers directed by Peter Broadbent 3 References edit Malcolm Williamson A 70th Birthday Tribute Paul Conway Harris amp Meredith pp 476 478 Naxos Records Ltd Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Requiem for a Tribe Brother amp oldid 1118650776, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
