Work Overview
Dews of Heaven was commissioned by John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Advent 2009.
The two verses of Dews of Heaven used in this setting are an English adaptation/translation of the Advent Prose. The famous refrain, "Rorate coeli de super: et nubes pluant justum," is used in the original Latin as a chorale in the middle section of this piece, as the accompaniment to a solo (male/female or a small group) consisting of the fourth "verse" of the Advent Prose.
The Prose (and Dews of Heaven) captures something of the anguish of the prophets, who longed to see the fulfillment of God's promises to the people of Israel. The prophets foretold salvation in the birth of a Child whose destiny it was to save God's people. Amongst the many metaphors used for salvation is that of dew descending. Dew, which would so gently water the parched ground. Dew, the essence of life.
Work Details
Year: 2009
Instrumentation: SATB choir, solo tenor or soprano, organ.
Duration: 5 min.
Difficulty: Medium
Commission note: Commissioned by John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School.. Commissioned for the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Advent 2009.
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Spiritual and Sacred Music
Performances of this work
9 Dec 2018: at An Australian Advent (St George's Church, Malvern). Featuring St George's Choir, Elizabeth-Anne Nixon.
9 Dec 2018: at An Australian Advent (St George's Church, Malvern). Featuring St George's Choir, Elizabeth-Anne Nixon.
User reviews
Be the first to share your thoughts, opinions and insights about this work.
To post a comment please login.