The Song of Harvest - Vocal score

A work of thanksgiving, The Song of Harvest is an artfully crafted celebration of the earth and its riches. The piece is structured around five well-known hymns of praise, for which Chilcott has composed striking original melodies that may be easily learnt by an audience or congregation, who are invited to join in with the choir. In keeping with tradition, the hymns feature soprano descants for the final verses, and the organ is used to great effect throughout the work in providing characterful introductions and interludes, as well as supporting the choir. The choral movements explore words from the psalms and poems by writers such as Henry van Dyke and Christina Rossetti, whose famous poem 'Consider' provides a moment of solemn reflection before the rousing closing hymn 'Now thank we all our God'.