Chilcott B. - Circlesong

for upper voices, SATB, and piano, or 2 pianos and percussion (4 players)

A work filled with ambition, Circlesong is a musical portrayal of the human life cycle as captured in the indigenous poetry of North America. Based on poetry from the Chinook, Comanche, Dakota, Eskimo, Iroquois, Kwakiutl, Navajo, Ojibwa, Pueblo, Seminole, Sioux, and Yaqui traditions, the thirteen movements, in seven parts, mark the different stages of life, from birth and childhood to adulthood, middle age and death. With energetic percussion accompaniment, climactic moments for tutti choir, tender unaccompanied passages and solo song, Circlesong is a work of impressive drama, variety, and depth.
The current vocal score provides the single piano version, for performance but also for rehearsal generally. A separate part for upper voices is available on sale, and the instrumental parts for the two pianos/percussion version are available on hire.

• A musical portrayal of the human life cycle across thirteen movements, from 'Birth' to 'Adulthood' and 'Old Age'
• Texts inspired by the poetry (translated) of North-American indigenous tribes
• Tender solo melodies contrasted with glorious full choir moments
• Rehearsal piano part also suitable for performance, forming 1-piano version
• Upper-voices part available separately
• Performance materials available on hire