David Solomons

Alternative title

Canticula Ursae Minoris (Songs of a little bear)

Composer

David W Solomons

Lyricist

old sacred text

Publisher

David W Solomons

Genre

Classical / Choral music

Instrumentation

Mixed choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor

Scored for

Sextet

Type of score

Vocal score

Key

G major

Duration

4'10"

Language

English

Difficulty

Medium

Year of composition

2013

Description
This setting for double mixed choir (SAT-SAT) of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (called Canticula Ursae Minoris - songs of a little bear) is based on my oratorio in which I set a chapter of Winnie the Pooh (The Expotition to the North Pole). The are tunes and light and playful but the complexity makes it suited to a Cathedral or Church setting.
The oratorio itself (The Poohratorio, composed in 1977) has not yet been published here, due to copyright on the works of A A Milne, but the melodies are entirely mine. You may be able to guess some of the characters whose leitmotifs in the oratorio are used in this setting. In particular, the lesser doxology (Glory be to the Father) makes great use the theme of Eeyore, the complaining donkey.

The sound sample is recorded by Matthew Curtis of www.choraltracks.com

The male voices version (ATB-ATB) is also available on musicaneo at
http://www.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/sm-177188_magnificat_and_nunc_dimittis_for_men_s_voices_atb-atb.html#177188

I have also created a string sextet (2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos) using a similar setting - called Songs of the Little Bear, also available on musicaneo at
http://www.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/sm-177190_songs_of_a_little_bear_for_string_sextet.html#177190

Upload date

03 Dec 2013