Black Riders Came from the Sea

Description

Tenor, Bass, Piano — Beginning with an ominous ostinato from the choir, this piece sets Stephen Crane’s short but vivid poem describing the invasion of a fast-approaching enemy army. A sense of dread and unease is produced by the alternating measures of 6/8 and 5/8 and the choir’s percussive drum-like vocalizations, to which they are especially encouraged to bring out (such as quickly closing the “m” of the word “dum”). The chaotic “clang and clang of spear and shield, and clash and clash of hoof and heel” is represented musically by the colliding of simple and compound subdivisions of the beat. Beginning with an ominous ostinato from the choir, this piece sets Stephen Crane’s short but vivid poem describing the invasion of a fast-approaching enemy army. Perfect for the developing Tenor-Bass choir or small ensemble. Who doesn't like to sing "dum digga digga dum"?

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