This spring my chorus is learning Haydn's The Seasons in preparation for the May concert.
Stephen Mack,
Mike Nencetti,
Iván Abrego,
Anne Bouey,
vicster.,
Hookuh Tinypants,
Tamara J. B.,
Greg GuitarBuster,
AHnix (Anna Haro),
Kirsten loves you,
Eivind,
Jenny H.,
#cryptic,
WoH: Professor MOTHRA,
Spidra Webster,
Brent Schaus,
m9m, Crone of FriendFeed,
Friar Will,
and
Jennifer Dittrich
liked this
One of the interesting things about it is that the subject matter is very much what one would expect from the Romantic movement, but the music is characteristic of the late 18th century.
- John (bird whisperer)
It's not quite tension, but it feels like it has a foot in each era.
- John (bird whisperer)
It also has a lot of octave intervals and places where singers have to go outside their normal range (low for sopranos and tenors; high for altos and basses).
- John (bird whisperer)
It sounds challenging, but like it could be very fun.
- Jennifer Dittrich
Oh, it's a lot of fun. :-)
- John (bird whisperer)
There are also spots where the music imitates the action. Like "...to the ocean floor" ends on a very low note and the movement about hunting has several parts that sound like hunting horns.
- John (bird whisperer)
Fifths?
- Brent Schaus
They're not in fifths; it's due to the rhythm rather than the pitches.
- John (bird whisperer)
It's got rhythm. Pitches love rhythm.
- Brent Schaus
LOL
- Jennifer Dittrich
Oh dear. :-P
- John (bird whisperer)
Heheh.
- SAM
Another interesting thing is that there are references to God, but they are mostly very abstract with very little theology. (Like thank God for wine.) Then the last movement gets all eschatological.
- John (bird whisperer)
See, the enlightenment got it right sometimes: thank god for wine ;)
- Jennifer Dittrich
There's a whole movement about wine. And the tenors get the last jug!
- John (bird whisperer)
The chorus about wine includes the line "Now foot all the maidens"
- John (bird whisperer)