Work

Programme Note

This version of the work has been arranged for a smaller ensemble, with organ replacing the strings.

The Canticle is an expression of the medieval belief in the beauty, goodness and intelligibility of the created world. It is also an expression of Francis’s own idea of all creation living in a spirit of fraternity and community. This vision of the total reconciliation of humanity with the universe is symbolized in a number of ways. One such is the ordering of the elements in pairs, which combine the masculine and feminine: sun-moon, wind-water, fire-earth. In this setting, the soprano soloist represents the feminine principle, and the choir the masculine.

Text Note:

Saint Francesco d'Assisi

Difficulty:

Advanced

Influences:

• Religious
• The elements

Dedication:

For the Schola Cantorum of Dunedin and conductor, Peter Adams, on the occasion of the choir's 125th Jubilee, 1988

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