Title |
Theme and Variations on "Draw the Sacred Circle Closer" for solo Cello
Cello is the perfect instrument to showcase through this fascinating set of variations on a theme of universal unity. The celloÂ's range and tone evoke the baritone voice, and its facility in contrapuntal playing allows for polyphony in the manner of BachÂ's cello suites. The theme (sounding like a spiritual) is actually the final chorus of the composerÂ's "Earthrise," a profoundly bold cantata using SchillerÂ's Â"Ode to JoyÂ" as text, and full of allusions to all four movements of BeethovenÂ's ninth symphony. HailstorkÂ's "Earthrise" features a festival chorus singing in German, alternating with an African-American chorus singing in English with vernacular verve. The choruses ultimately unite to end the cantata together with Â"Draw the Sacred Circle Closer,Â" a translation of lines from SchillerÂ's Â"Ode to Joy.Â" For advanced cellists
|
Facebook
Twitter