Description
Hepplewhite, Russell: Three Trees/Angel
Ref
W239
Categories
Choral Music
,
Latest Titles
,
MultiBuy
By
Russell Hepplewhite
Words by
Fiona Benson
SATB and piano
Duration: 4′
If you call us ‘angel’,
what does that mean?
Inspired by the late Canadian artist Laurie Steen’s spellbinding painting
Landstill, 06–12
, Fiona Benson’s arboreal ode evokes the quiet grandeur and life-giving force of trees. The poet personifies the trees, who speak as a chorus throughout, intertwining religious and secular imagery. The music begins with rising layered fifths in the piano, establishing a tranquil and open sound world, from which little vocal canons emerge like unfurling leaves. Further on, the composer achieves a rich choral homophony which often diverges into a pleasing dialogue between upper and lower voices, while slow-moving harmonies hint at the immensity of the changing of the seasons. Particularly suitable for a concert with a nature or art theme,
Three Trees/Angel
explores the deep symbiotic relationship of painting, poetry and music to reconnect us with the natural world.
Three Trees/Angel
is one of ten new poems commissioned and set to music by Russell Hepplewhite in his landmark choral anthology
Living Voices
, published by Stainer & Bell. The commission was funded by Debbie Reddy. See
here
for more information on the other pieces in the collection.
First performed on 12 July 2025 by Voices of Hope, conducted by Mark Edwards
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