Prayer
2000
Sheet Music

Soprano vocal soloist and SSAATTBB choir

SKU: PE.EP71866

2000. Composed by Roxanna Panufnik. Choral Works (inc. Oratorios). Modern, Choral. Sheet Music. Composed 2000; First Performance: November 22nd 2000; St Paul's Cathedral. Duration 00:05:00. Edition Peters #EP71866. Published by Edition Peters (PE.EP71866).

Soprano Solo and Double Choir (in memory of Philip Jones) (commissioned by the Musicians Benevolent Fund in the name of Sir Thomas Armstrong -- first performed by the combined choirs of Saint Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, conducted by John Scott, in Saint Paul's Cathedral on Sainnt Cecilia's Day, November 22nd, 2000) -- text is by Welsh poet George Herbert (April 3rd, 1593 - March 1st, 1633)

"Although technically a sonnet, the poem can be divided into four sections. Musically, I've taken the first four lines and have aimed to evolve a harmonic feast of diversity (i.e., 'the Church's banquet'), also covering different pitch ranges and textures. The second four lines convey the awesomeness and potecny of prayer (accentuated by a dissonant and slightly ominous 'chant' in some of the inner parts), and the third four lines contrast by depicting the gentleness and joy that prayer can bring. The last two lines conjure up the mystery and infinity of prayer - that it knows no bounds in what and who it can reach - hence the end of the piece drifting away into infinity." (Roxanna Panufnik, 2000) -- Roxanna Panufnik (born in 1968) is a British composer of Polish heritage, based in London.