Autumn (from “Madrigals for the Seasons”) – SATB

Description

Madrigals for the Seasons was composed especially for Cappella SF, Ragnar Bohlin, conductor. John Clare’s poem “Autumn” conjures up vivid images of this season: the fading of summer flowers, the colors of the leaves, the browning of the fields. Clare personifies the leaves, who talk to us and offer us a lesson about death: “The same sad fate approaches you.” The musical setting is an expressive Larghetto in the minor mode. The piece ends with a surprising harmonic twist that I hope expresses both the opening of oneself to the acceptance of death, and to the peace that it offers.

Conjuring up vivid images of the season, this movement is an expressive Larghetto in the minor mode. The ending includes a surprise harmonic twist that expresses both the acceptance of death and the peace that it offers. Duration: 4:45