Work
Prayers from the Ark
Eight Songs for Acappella Choir
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About
These pieces are based on poems written by Carmen Bernos di Gasztold in French and translated into English by Rumer Godden. First printed in 1963 by MacMillan London, each poem expresses the feelings of Noah, the Raven and the Dove, and also the Rooster, Goldfish, Lark, Cat and Old Horse as they endure the confinement, noise, smell and tedium on Noah's Ark. The songs express musically the longing and hope for release encapsulated in the poetry. Hearing the poems read before each song helps set the mood. They are essentially art songs with a variety of keys and time signatures, which can be performed individually as well as altogether as a suite. Eric Sidoti, Director of Voices in the Wind, Porirua, spurred me on to publish these pieces together as a collection. They were first performed as a suite in May 2024.
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Commissioned note
Eric Sidoti, Director of Voices in the Wind, Porirua, spurred Rosemary on to publish these pieces together as a collection, after the choir enjoyed performing The Prayer of the Cat in 2021.
Difficulty note
Youth to Adult Choirs competent singing acappella
Contents note
There are eight individual songs. Noah's Prayer and the Prayers of the Rooster, Goldfish, Lark, Cat, Old Horse, Raven and Dove. The piano reduction is intended for rehearsal purposes mainly.
Text note
Prayers from the Ark poems written by Carmen Bernos di Gasztold in French and translated into English by Rumer Godden. First printed in 1963 by MacMillan London,