4 voices (Countertenor, 2
Tenors and Bass) and
ensemble (1(afl,
pic).0.ca.0.ssax.1(cbsn)-
1.0.1.0-perc(crot, vib,
mar, bell plate, sizz
cym, Swiss cow bell, gong
[horizontal], tam-t, 2
bng, 2slit drum, wood
drum, 2cong, 2b.d, marac,
5tempbl,
vibraslap)-hp-str(0.0.1.0
.1))
SKU:
HL.49043942
For
four voices and
instrumental
ensemble. Composed by
John Casken. This
edition: Saddle
stitching. Sheet music.
Edition Schott.
Softcover. Composed 2008.
124 pages. Duration 30'.
Schott Music #ED13468.
Published by Schott Music
(HL.49043942).
ISBN
9790220134562.
8.25x11.75x0.396 inches.
English.
The
Anglo-Saxon poem The
Dream of the Rood was
probably written in the
8th Century and is the
earliest dream-vision
poem in Old English. A
fragment of the poem from
the section that
describes the crucifixion
can be found carved on
the Ruthwell Cross in
Dumfriesshire, and set in
stone at a time when
Ruthwell was part of the
ancient kingdom of
Northumbria. In
responding to a
commission for the
Hilliard Ensemble, I was
keen to find a dramatic
text, but one that would
also invite a musical
response appropriate to
the very nature of this
kind of vocal quartet.
Writing for the Hilliards
together with a mixed
instrumental ensemble,
and for a generous
cathedral acoustic, has
had a strong influence on
the types of textures and
sonorities I have used.
The structure of the work
is dictated by the form
of the poem, but the
music could also be seen
as consisting of a
sequence of motets with
both vocal and
instrumental
interludes.John
Casken.