Giles Swayne's "Stabat mater" is dedicated to the grieving mothers of Israel and Palestine, reflecting on the universal experience of loss.
Composition History
The piece "The silent land" was commissioned by Phyllis Lee in memory of her late husband, Hardy Lee, both of whom were devout atheists.
Compositional Technique
Giles Swayne's "Stabat mater" incorporates texts from Latin, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Arabic to create a shared ritual of grief, including Jewish and Muslim prayers.
Compositional Technique
Giles Swayne's "The silent land" is scored for a 40-part choir and solo cello, with the choir divided into eight five-part sections, inspired by Tallis's "Spem in alium."
Composer Biography
Giles Swayne, the composer, was encouraged to compose from an early age by his cousin, Elizabeth Maconchy, a well-known composer.
Composer's Artistic Vision
In "The silent land," the solo cello represents the individual soul, the 8-part semichorus the grieving family, and the 32-part choir the wider community.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Giles Swayne's choral writing is influenced by Latin plainchant, Tudor polyphony, and traditional African music, all of which can be heard on this album.
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