Three Poems by William Alabaster (1567-1640)

Date: 

1967

Duration: 

12 minutes

Instrumentation: 

  • Orchestral/Large Orchestra
  • Choral Music
  • Voice & Ensemble

Forces: 

Chorus & Orchestra

Three Poems has been specially written for the Westminster Choral Society. It is designed as a single work in three contrasting sections. After the opening ‘recitative’ for flute, the first poem is presented almost entirely without accompaniment. The second poem is set as choral speech. it begins forcefully, but subsides after the return of the opening flute ‘recitative’. The third poem follows without a break and is divided into three sections, the first two of a similar character and the third for sopranos alone. The ‘recitative’ for flute closes the work.

Review: 

Performance: