SSAATTBB a cappella
A good program closer, this exciting piece is a choral tour-de-force.
Program Note
Westron Wind is a setting of an anonymous 15th-century English poem. It is the final movement of the set, Three Medieval Lyrics, which was commissioned for Seattle Pro Musica, in celebration of the choir’s 20th anniversary. Three Medieval Lyrics was awarded second prize in “His Majestie’s Clerkes Choral Composition Competition, and was a featured work for the National Endowment for the Arts “American Masterpieces” Choral Initiative in 2006 & 2007.
As the title implies, the texts for the three pieces are medieval lyric poetry – in this case, English lyric poetry. The first, To Mistress Margaret Hussey, is by John Skelton (1460-1529). The second and third texts are anonymous – Alnight by the rose dates from the 14th century, and Westron wind from the mid-15th century.
Notes on preparation and performance
The three movements may be performed as a set, or individually.
Text
Westron wind, when will thou blow?
The small rain down can rain.
Christ, if my love were in my arms,
And I in my bed again.
Reviews
“…a bright, engaging work…” Seattle Post-Intelligencer