Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal

A just-released (Summer 2015) SATB a cappella composition on a famous text by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892). Commissioned by the Jublilate Vocal Ensemble of Vancouver, and first performed by the choir on March 8, 2015 under the direction of Dr. Larry Nickel.
The sumptuous painting on the cover of the new publication is "The Lady of Shalott", painted by John William Waterhouse in 1888, and inspired by Tennyson's ballad of the same name.

NOW sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;
Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk;
Nor winks the gold fin in the porphyry font:
The fire-fly wakens: waken thou with me.

Now droops the milkwhite peacock like a ghost And like a ghost she glimmers on to me.

Now lies the Earth all Danaë to the stars,
And all thy heart lies open unto me.

Now slides the silent meteor on, and leaves
A shining furrow, as thy thoughts in me.

Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,
And slips into the bosom of the lake:
So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip
Into my bosom and be lost in me.

     From The Princess: A Medley (1847)

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See the score and listen to a recording at Cypress Choral Music, or at SheetMusicPlus

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