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Spells (2013)

For SATB chorus
Text arranged by Augusta Read Thomas

[Indebted and in homage to Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)]
First performance: New York Virtuoso Singers, Harold Rosembaum conducting; Merkin Hall, New York City, 3 March 2013
Duration: 3'30"

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Spells runs from 6:13-end

TEXT
In Memoriam Elliott Carter

(Print the text with the program note. The text should be centered on the page, as displayed below. )

arise
praise all things counter, original, swift, slow, sweet, adazzle
hear them chant
a rainbow footing and magic cuckoocall
barbarous beauty
magnificent glory
flame out shining praise
grandeur ring out
hear the lark ascend in crisps of curl off wild winch whirl
pour and pelt musics till none's to spill nor spend
shine gold-vermilion
praise the sweetest, sweetest spells

— Augusta Read Thomas

 

With composer Elliott Carter at a Tanglewood very late night dinner party in summer 2008, after the huge Carter festival.
Photo by Virgil Blackwell
 

The New York Virtuoso Singers, Harold Rosenbaum, Conductor

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