Swansongs

Though short, these pieces are full of interesting moments - varied use of rhythm and metre, some effective harmonic colouring, opportunity for wide expressive interpretation and, all of this, within lines that any competent group of singers should be able to cope with. The overall impression and flavour is more abstract than the previous Chilcott pieces but Swansongs is certainly worth consideration.

Autorentext
Bob Chilcott has become one of the world's most widely performed composers and arrangers of choral music. His compositional output reflects his wide taste in music styles and his commitment to writing music that is both singable and communicative. He has been involved in choral music most of his life he was a chorister and then a choral scholar in the choir of King's College, Cambridge, and was a member of the British vocal group The King's Singers for whom he made a number of popular arrangements of well-known songs from all genres. As well as being a full-time composer he is also a highly acclaimed choral conductor. He has been privileged to conduct many choirs all over the world. He is Principal Guest Conductor of The BBC Singers and in 2019 he was appointed Principal Conductor of Birmingham University Singers. His music has been widely recorded by many choirs and groups including The King's Singers, Tenebrae, and The BBC Singers.

Zusammenfassung
for upper voices (SSAA) unaccompanied These two enjoyable and easy songs use riddle texts from the 17th and 18th centuries that are both haunting and rich with imagery. Chilcott produces two charming and characterful miniatures that although simple, manifest a 'swanlike' dignity befitting their subject.