The Eclipse (From Three Motets on Texts of Henry Vaughan)

Voicing: SATB unaccompanied
Text: Henry Vaughan (1622-1695)
Published by: classica Music Publishers, MV #011 (2005)
Retail: Musical Resources;

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Notes: Awarded first prize in the 2000 Austin (TX) Pro Chorus Choral Composition Competition. This work was composed in 2000 and is the first of three pieces on the poetry of Welsh metaphysical poet, Henry Vaughan. It may be sung separately or performed with its two companion pieces, The Revival and Peace. The complete work was premiered by the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers, Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff, conductor in 2001. Some other choirs that have performed this work include the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Da Capo Chamber Choir, and Musikay.

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Whither, O whither did’st thou fly
When I did grieve thine holy Eye?
When thou did’st mourn to see me lost,
And all thy Care and Councels crost.
O do not grieve where e’er thou art!
Thy grief is an undoing smart.
Which doth not only pain, but break
My heart, and makes me blush to speak.
Thy anger I could kiss, and will:
But (O!) thy grief, thy grief doth kill.                                                                                                  
Henry Vaughan (1622-1695)

                                                                                              From Thalia Rediviva, 1678

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See the score at classica Music Publishers

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Performed by: The University of Alberta Madrigal Singers, Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff, conductor; recorded on, My Soul There is a Country. (2001)

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Performed by: I Coristi Chamber Choir, Dr. Debra Cairns, conductor; recorded on, Songs of the Soul, 2008