Three Songs of Love

These Three Songs of Love were commissioned by Exultate Singers and first performed on 14 February 2015 at St George’s Bristol. The three texts (Clare, Yeats and McCrae) represent various moods of love, from the thrill of its first appearance and the mini–death which this involves, through the devotion felt towards the beloved even if they are unaware of it, to the distant memories evoked by a return to an old haunt. The florid and expressive music is tied very closely to the words, with rich harmonies and clever counterpoint alongside homophonic passages. The songs will present a mild challenge to intermediate choirs, but they are sure to be pleasing to both singers and audiences and an excellent addition to the contemporary repertoire.