I had the pleasure of attending a choir concert put on by the Oregon State University choral program last week. Because my sister sang in two of the choirs at this concert, I thought it would be fun to break down the program a little bit and discuss how the composers created some stunning imagery in their choir music.
Invictus by Joshua Rist
*Side note: this is the university choir my sister currently sings with (although this recording was made several years ago). And the pianist is Joshua Rist himself!
An Oregon native (and Oregon State University music program alum), Joshua Rist has written many choral works performed by the university. Invictus (2012) is a dramatic work showcasing text penned by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903):
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Rist paints an image of rolling seas and turbulent winds through his driving accompaniment (you know, because “I am the captain of my soul” and all). And the intensity in the text is supported with emotional harmonies and that constantly moving piano line. Rist does an excellent job creating imagery through that emotion in Invictus.
Be sure to check out this post for another piece of choir music by Rist!
Les Sirènes (The Sirens) by Lili Boulanger
In the haunting Les Sirènes (1911), Boulanger (1893-1918) tells a story of the irresistible sea creatures who lure sailors onto the rocks (to their death) by using their beautiful voices. To create the mesmerizing, trance-like atmosphere, Boulanger implements a repeated, rocking ostinato based on F♯ and C♯. The chromaticism throughout the work paints an image of these beautiful-yet-dangerous mermaids.
Boulanger took the text from the poem Les Sirènes by Charles Grandmougin (1850 – 1930):
| French Text | English Translation |
| Nous sommes la beauté qui charme les plus forts, Les fleurs tremblantes de l’écume Et de la brume, Nos baisers fugitifs sont le rêve des morts ! | We are the beauty which charms the strongest men. Trembling flowers of foam and mist, Our fleeing kisses are the dream of the dead! |
| Parmi nos chevelures blondes L’eau miroite en larmes d’argent, Nos regards à l’éclat changeant Sont verts et bleus comme les ondes ! | Amidst our blond tresses the water gleams like tears of silver. Our shimmering glances are blue and green as waves. |
| Avec un bruit pareil aux délicats frissons Des moissons Nous voltigeons sans avoir d’ailes ; Nous cherchons de tendres vainqueurs, Nous sommes les sœurs immortelles Offertes aux désirs de vos terrestres cœurs! | With a noise like the delicate shivers Of harvests We flutter without having wings; We seek tender victors, We are the immortal sisters Offered up to the desires of your earthly hearts! |
Peegeldused Tasasest Maast (Reflections on a plain) by Tõnu Kõrvits
Kõrvits, a contemporary Estonian composer, creates unique tonal landscapes through the combination of cello and voice in his work Peegeldused Tasasest Maast (2016). Notice how the choir does not actually sing any text. And the unique, contemporary harmonies combined with the dramatic cello and folk themes paint a space of Estonian landscape and folk traditions.
Stars by Ēriks Ešenvalds
Ešenvalds‘ Stars is a gorgeous, lush piece of choir music that tells the story of the universe. Cluster cadences spaced throughout the work are reminiscent of stars dotting an ethereal sky portrayed by 6 tuned water glasses. Here is the text, Sara Teasdale’s (1884-1933) poem Stars:
Alone in the nigh
On a dark hill
With pines around me
Spicy and still,
And a heaven full of stars
Over my head,
White and topaz
And misty red;
Myriads with beating
Hearts of fire
That aeons
Cannon vex or tire;
Up the dome of heaven
Like a great hill,
I watch them marching
Stately and still,
And I know that I
Am honoured to be
Witness
Of such majesty.
Listening for imagery in choir music – especially in these four pieces – helps us internalize and relate to the beautiful music through our own emotions and experiences. What other choir pieces do you enjoy that tell a vivid story?
