The year’s at the spring
text by Robert Browning (1812 - 1889)
Text
The year’s at the spring from: Pippa Passes
Robert Browning (1812 - 1886)
The year’s at the spring, and the day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven, the hillside’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on it wing; The snaill’s on the thorn:
God’s in His heaven —
All’s right with the world!
About the Work
The years at the spring is an exploration in space and color, with the goal of portraing both the stillness and the budding excitment of the life that is being breathed into the world at spring time. Robert Browning’s text is paired with open chords with colorful dissonance envoking the image of wide open air with bustling energy from the sky all the way down to the soil; even to a singular thorn from a bush in a grove.
This piece was premiered by the Aubrun University Chamber Choir in 2025 under the direction of Dr. William C. Powell.
Performance Time
2:00
About the Composer
In demand as a composer and educator, Justin M. Douglas is regularly commissioned and perfomed by church and school ensembles across the USA. Making their New York City debut in the Advent season of 2025, Douglas’ voice stands out from other choral composers with their use of unique, rhythmic text setting, and use of unapolegetic colorful harmonic language. In research and application, Justin is interested in demystifying the creative process of writing and empowering music educators, performers and conductors everywhere to become composers in their own right. Currently Justin is completing a degree in Music Composition/Technology at Auburn University with secondary studies in Music Education and choral conducting. They study composition with Lee Johnson, conducting with Dr. William C. Powell, and voice with Dr. Rosephanye Powell.
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More Works by Justin M. Douglas
The years at the spring STAB div., unaccompanied
The Unquiet Grave TTBB, unaccompanied 4:00 Exsultate Deo SATB div., with Organ 2:30 Have Mercy on Us SATB, with Piano/Organ 1:15 Missa Brevis SATB, with Organ (opt. chamber orchestra) 10:00
I. Introit
II. Kyrie
III. Gloria
IV. Sanctus
V. Agnus Dei
IV. Dona Nobis Pacem