The text of this hymn was recorded by the Venerable
Bede. The melody of Cædmon's famous hymn has been
lost; however, the rhythms (triple time) are recorded
in three 8th- and 9th-century manuscripts of Bede's
Historia. This hymn is a perfect gem of hymnody and
follows the rules exactly: verse, verse, refrain,
verse, close. There is no evidence that this Hymn was
ever previously sung in Latin. In this setting, the
message and the musical theme are preserved through
many changes of form as the lan...(+)
The text of this hymn was recorded by the Venerable
Bede. The melody of Cædmon's famous hymn has been
lost; however, the rhythms (triple time) are recorded
in three 8th- and 9th-century manuscripts of Bede's
Historia. This hymn is a perfect gem of hymnody and
follows the rules exactly: verse, verse, refrain,
verse, close. There is no evidence that this Hymn was
ever previously sung in Latin. In this setting, the
message and the musical theme are preserved through
many changes of form as the language and the musical
style gradually progress from those of the early Middle
Ages to those of the English Baroque. May be doubled
by organ or strings.
Considering that Peter Bird composes since 2004, and that he wrote Caedmon's Hymn in 2005, we are looking at an amazing effort, incorporating a wide array of musical expression, apparently written with natural ease, and a strongly woven confident musical texture, out of which the contours of a real personal voice come forward. Not always as clear as might be yet, but undeniably present and promisingly distinguishable.
Peter Bird stirs his soul profoundly and up to its unknown roots, to search and find his musical language. Caedmon's hymn is a puzzling piece, full of voices, echos of the past, reborn in the present for the modern ear. Ockeghem and even Walther von der Vogelweide, the medieval troubadour, can be heard. But there are also connections to soundbirds like Arvo Pärt or John Tavener.
The funny thing is, that allthough the text is a religious praise and calling for serenity, the music is a real living melting pot, energy driven and boiling: Creation as a force works in it, like once the ancient earth was filled with fire, cooling down in countless shapes, generating life as it extinguished its own. This is an element of the music that makes it difficult for a choir to sing, because incorporating this stream of energy is like eating fire, and that is something choir singers don't do every day. But when they master the music, it will certainly be an uplifting experience. Because the earth is being reborn in this piece. A big achievememt I would say, that also demonstrates Peter Bird's knowledge of, connection with, and admiration for the beautiful planet we live on.
PARTITION
Peter Bird stirs his soul profoundly and up to its unknown roots, to search and find his musical language. Caedmon's hymn is a puzzling piece, full of voices, echos of the past, reborn in the present for the modern ear. Ockeghem and even Walther von der Vogelweide, the medieval troubadour, can be heard. But there are also
connections to soundbirds like Arvo Pärt or John Tavener.
The funny thing is, that allthough the text is a religious praise and calling for serenity, the music is a real living melting pot, energy driven and boiling: Creation as a force works in it, like once the ancient earth was filled with fire, cooling down in countless shapes, generating life as it extinguished its own. This is an element of the music that makes it difficult for a choir to sing, because incorporating this stream of energy is like eating fire, and that is something choir singers don't do every day. But when they master the music, it will certainly be an uplifting experience. Because the earth is being reborn in this piece. A big achievememt I would say, that also demonstrates Peter Bird's knowledge of, connection with, and admiration for the beautiful planet we live on.