SATB
Sample audio is from 2012 by a 12-student, college ensemble

The Silver Swan by Orlando Gibbons

The silver swan, who living had no note,
When death approached, unlocked her silent throat;
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more:
?Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.?

Composed by Mikael Carlsson, lyrics by Sir William Shakespeare. Composition year: 2015. Secular.

An expressive three movement work for SATB choir with divisi and piano accompaniment exploring Shakespeare text s with a nocturnal setting. Beautiful harmony and forward movement leads the way of 'Over Hill, Over Dale' ('Midsummer Night's Dream'), ominous piano glissandi and misterioso chords dominate 'Heavily, Heavily' ('Much Ado About Nothing') and shimmering light and a dazzling ending with the effect of whistling and sea waves makes the final 'Night of Our Solemnities' ('Midsummer Night's Dream) particularly memorable.


1. Over Hill, Over Dale (Midsummer Night's Dream)

Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire.
I do wander everywhere
Swifter than the moon?s sphere.
And I serve the fairy queen
To dew her orbs upon the green.
The cowslips tall her pensioners be.
In their gold coats spots you see.
Those be rubies, fairy favors.
In those freckles live their savors.
I must go seek some dewdrops here
And hang a pearl in every cowslip?s ear.
Farewell, thou lob of spirits. I?ll be gone.
Our queen and all our elves come here anon.

2. Heavily, Heavily (Much Ado About Nothing)

Pardon, goddess of the night,
Those that slew thy virgin knight,
For the which with songs of woe
Round about her tomb they go.
Midnight, assist our moan.
Help us to sigh and groan
Heavily, heavily.
Graves, yawn and yield your dead,
Till death be utter�d,
Heavily, heavily.

3. Night of Our Solemnities (Midsummer Night's Dream)

Four days will quickly steep themselves in night.
Four nights will quickly dream away the time.
And then the moon, like to a silver bow
New bent in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities.

Choral score including piano part. 28 pages.
Total duration: 15:30.
Movement 1: 4:30
Movement 2: 5:00
Movement 3: 6:00

Suitable for concert programs concerning themes such as Shakespeare, night, evening, love, sorrow, evening, forgiving.

Discover more music by Mikael Carlsson at http://www.mikaelcarlsson.com