As I considered a text for this project, (composed for a dear and longtime friend), I wanted something unfamiliar to me, and while I have discovered that numerous composers have set these hymn lyrics, I have never come across this poetry, nor any musical settings of the text.
The melody here is crafted with a nod to traditional hymnity, but with (I hope) a modern choral sensibility. This is perhaps most evident in the dramatic minor 7th fall in the initial call and response (between 'music' and 'softly' in verse one. The 6/4 meter creates a gentle 'rocking' that aligns with my sense of the natural rhythm of the text.
With the meaning of the text in mind, the choral tone should be tender throughout; even in the forte moments. Flowing, legato textures are abundant in the choir and strings, but attention must be given to clear diction so as to communicate the story well.
The strings are complementary in every sense, and even when doublling the singers the quartet can play assertively. The interludes should fe
