"Christmas Hath a Darkness" [Peter Bloesch]

"Christmas Hath a Darkness" [Peter Bloesch]

First line of lyrics: Christmas hath a darkness

Bloesch, Peter; music (American)

Rossetti, Christina Georgina; text (English, 1830-1894)

2015 pre [composition]

genre: carol|choral music|Christmas music|sacred music|song|song cycle

chorus: SATB chorus

instrumentation: a cappella

initial sharps/flats: three flats

initial time signature: 4/4

origin: United States

male composer

English

Rossetti poem(s): "Christmas Eve"

Composition history: The head note on the score says that "In this mystical poem, Christina Rossetti surprises us with her unusual juxtapositions: 'Christmas hath a darkness brighter than the blazing noon' and 'Christmas hath a chillness warmer than the heat of June.' On first reading, these thoughts can be confusing. How can something dark be brighter than the noontime sun? And how can something cold be warmer than the summer heat? But I believe that Rossetti is using these striking contrasts to shock us into realizing that the lowly birth of Christ is more magnificent than anything else in creation, with the 'darkness' of his birth transcending even the brightest sunlight" (Bloesch). In email correspondence, the composer noted the settings origin in a request that he "create an original setting of 'Christmas Hath a Darkness' for her annual handmade Christmas card, which she's been creating for over 50 years! (She always features something interesting and original on her cards, oftentimes my own music.) This was one of the few times when someone asked me to set a particular poem to music. Usually, I choose my own poems." On a more general note, Bloesch commented, "As a composer of over 50 choral works, I was very moved by Rossetti's poetry, and found her texts to be enchanting to set to music. Her writing is direct but deceptively subtle and rich, and each reading bears more depths of meaning and inspiration. I tend to be most inspired by poetry that deals with nature and love, and her texts certainly blend these elements often enough."

Tempo markings: quarter note = ca. 76

Performance instructions: The score notes that the setting can be performed three different ways: 1. SATB chorus a capella, 2. SATB chorus with piano accompaniment, or 3. Soprano or tenor soloist or unison voices singing the soprano part, with piano accompaniment.

Performance history: This piece was premiered in December 2015 by Dr. Abby Musgrove at Illinois College.

Recordings: Bloesch, Peter. "Christmas Hath a Darkness ~ by Peter Bloesch (original composition for chorus & piano)." YouTube, 12 Apr. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYH2R5dW4r8. Accessed 25 Jan. 2019.

Format 1: musical score

7 pages

Format 2: performance video

running time 1 minute and 56 seconds

Other data reference(s): Bloesch, Peter. "“Christmas Hath a Darkness” ~ Version with piano accompaniment." peterbloesch.com, https://peterbloesch.com/music/choral/hol-keyboard/christmas-hath-satb-piano/. Accessed 25 Jan. 2019.
Bloesch, Peter. "Re: Christina Rossetti in Music research project." Received by Mary Arseneau, 29 Jan. 2019.

Cataloguer: Sarah Pennington, University of Ottawa

musical score: Peter Bloesch

This score is copyright protected. A score can be consulted here: Bloesch, Peter. "“Christmas Hath a Darkness” ~ Version with piano accompaniment." peterbloesch.com. https://peterbloesch.com/music/choral/hol-keyboard/christmas-hath-satb-piano/. Accessed 25 Jan. 2019.

Record: CRM-christmaseve-bloesch

"Copyright owned by Peter Bloesch, with all rights reserved."

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