Southern Harmony (Duckworth)
Encyclopedia
Southern Harmony is a minimalist composition
by William Duckworth written in 1980 and 1981. It is scored for unaccompanied
mixed chorus
, and is an original work created through adaptation of shape-note songs from the 1854 compilation Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
(first published 1835). Southern Harmony is divided into four books (or sections) that were premiered over the span of a decade. The complete work was premiered in February 1992 at Merkin Concert Hall
in New York by the Gregg Smith Singers
.
The individual movements of Southern Harmony are:
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
by William Duckworth written in 1980 and 1981. It is scored for unaccompanied
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
mixed chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, and is an original work created through adaptation of shape-note songs from the 1854 compilation Southern Harmony and Musical Companion
Southern Harmony
The Southern Harmony is a shape note hymn and tune book compiled by William Walker. The book was released in 1835 under the full title of The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note singing....
(first published 1835). Southern Harmony is divided into four books (or sections) that were premiered over the span of a decade. The complete work was premiered in February 1992 at Merkin Concert Hall
Merkin Concert Hall
Merkin Concert Hall is a 449-seat concert hall in Manhattan, New York City. The hall, named in honor of Hermann and Ursula Merkin, is part of the Kaufman Center, a complex that includes the Lucy Moses School, a community arts school, and the Special Music School , a New York City public school for...
in New York by the Gregg Smith Singers
Gregg Smith Singers
The Gregg Smith Singers is a mixed chorus from the United States, directed by Gregg Smith . The group, which comprises 16 singers, was founded at an all-Japanese Methodist church in West Los Angeles, California in 1955, while Smith was studying for his master's degree in music at the University of...
.
The individual movements of Southern Harmony are:
Book One
- 1. Consolation
- 2. Wondrous Love
- 3. Hebrew Children
- 4. Solemn Thought
- 5. Rock of Ages