Here is a modern classical composition I was recently commissioned to write for SATB choir and string quartet, premiered April 20, 2013.
It is based on the seasons of the year, with the choir and string quartet featured during the primary seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter, and the string quartet alone featured in the transitions between the seasons. It is written in 8 short movements: I. Winter to Spring, II. Spring, III. Spring to Summer, IV. Summer, etc.
At times there are up to 10 independent lines happening simultaneously in what I call 'linear multi-tonality', each part/line functioning in its own unique mode or key. In one instance the Sopranos and Basses are in C Dorian, the Altos in A Locrian, the Tenors in F Dorian, I Violin in F Locrian, II Violin in C Phrygian, Viola in Eb Whole-tone, and Cello in Eb Ionian/major.
I searched for existing poetic text to use, but felt uncomfortable with trying to fit musical ideas to those texts, so I chose to write my own libretto. With a background of 25 year's experience as a music minister, having written hundreds of songs for worship, I felt comfortable creating the union between the almost folk-like melodies and the lyrics as a foundation for the work, in many places using 'word-painting' in the musical interpretation to complete the original melodic ideas.
"Changing Seasons" was given a favorable review at its premier by Ronald Bennett of the Odessa American:
The voice writing was interesting in its rhythmical intricacy, its intelligent use of singable ranges and its unusual juxtaposing of the texts between the vocal parts. At times the quartet was leading the chorale and other times the chorale seemed to be leading the quartet. The instrumental writing for the quartet was also idiomatic and showed the composers mastery of string writing.
The overall effect was one of buoyant energy that exuded from the singers and the quartet and left the audience thrilled with the work as witnessed by a spontaneous standing ovation.
We are fortunate to have such a talented composer in our midst!
(Libretto)
Changing Seasons
©2013 Lowell Hohstadt
I. Winter to Spring (Quartet)
II. Spring
The springtime harshness
of ice and snow,
melting away to grasses
beneath the cold.
The bird’s small voices,
they seem so loud
against the forces
of many clouds
Bringing the rains of springtime,
bringing the rains that come never alone,
among the thunder and
wind blowing!
The snow is melting,
the streams, they flow,
bringing the waters
that grow and grow,
Bringing the strength
of rivers,
bringing the strength of a mighty expanse
flowing to oceans,
broad and bold.
The springtime harshness
cuts as a knife.
The call has come to awake,
to arise to new life!
III. Spring to Summer (Quartet)
IV. Summer
Heat, hot, work, sweat and
heat, hard work, blazing brightness!
Small breezes greet the fevered brow
like a kiss from
springtime past,
but now
Heat, hot work, sweat and
Blue sky,
as puffy clouds float by,
a shadow obscures the sun’s
Heat, hot, work, sweat and
heat, hard work,
blazing brightness
Wanes ever slowly to dusk,
lengthened shadows,
an ev’ning breeze,
one star, then two,
in time a multitude
looking down upon a
weary soul unchained
from responsibilities,
from the heat of day.
Morning dawns quickly,
bringing again the
Heat, hot, work, sweat and
heat, hard work, blazing
heat, hot, work, sweat and
heat, hard work, blazing
Bright!
V. Summer to Fall (Quartet)
VI. Fall
Leaves turning colors
of red and yellow,
briskly cool air
across the faces.
Times of the harvest,
bountiful places,
memories come
from journeys gone by.
Melancholy feelings;
gladness mixed with sadness,
knowing the days are
shorter, darker.
Fresh gusts of wind
blow the leaves away,
hurrying down the path’s
winding way.
Spiraling, whispering
that the time has come
for the bareness
of the branches.
Past splendor,
leaves of grandeur
fallen to ground
amidst all the laughter:
Children playing
and trampling,
stomping, raking,
gathering piles.
Cold wind blowing,
changes coming,
days of past gone by,
Looking to end the journey.
Night is falling,
peace has come,
release from the day.
The time has come now,
resting from life now.
Peace has come.
Peace has won.
VII. Fall to Winter (Quartet)
VIII. Winter
Here we are
no hope of summer,
endless days
without number.
Half awake,
half of slumber,
coldness, darkness,
nothing younger.
Days of sorrow,
days of pain
fade from mem’ry
once again.
Icy feelings
cloud the sky,
overshadow
days gone by.
Decrescendo,
then morendo,
away slips life
on sheets of ice.
Bring me life
of days gone by,
break the darkness
of the skies!
Burst the fetters
of this rest,
bring the shatter
of distress!
Awake!
Arise!
Crack the ice
of sorrow’s lies.
Bring me springtime,
bring me rain!
Bring the sunshine
hope again!
New life comes,
new life happens
with a violence
of the change.
Changing seasons,
changing grace,
new life here
begins the race.
The springtime harshness
of life and growth
has overcome,
life has won:
Life has come!
