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by Chama C. Fox - Mar 14, 2010 Download and listen to All the Mirth of Summer (MP3, 3.5Mb)
Written: 2001 AboutIn the past, I used to sing in choirs, performing lots of classical music, from medieval up to contemporary, and writing this was not a far step from what I was used to singing. It's a madrigal, meant for a men's ensemble or choir, TTBB or CtTTB, done in a soothing 3/2, Eb major. It was a lot of work writing the choral arrangement just right, and writing lyrics that conveyed the nostalgic feeling in an old, timeless way. This recordingSince I don't have a suitable ensemble at hand, I went ahead and made a Chama Quartet, which turned out to be more than a little difficult. When recording this type of music, you really need the physical presence of the others in the ensemble to give you visual and audio cues. All voices are recorded with different vocal styles, though not too different, and with a chiefly British English accent. The rrrrolling arrrs are, I believe, authentic to the style of music and period. If not, well, they're there. ;) LyricsThe lyrics are presented in a staggered form, with voices filling in sentences and complementing each other. If you listen closely to each voice, it will tell you the story in its own way.
All the mirth of summer
And thus, like a velvet shadow
Telling tales of innocence and youth
The eagle's triumphant hail
For all the mirth of distant summer
See the tranquil leaves of autumn |