Melancholy’s Attributes

for double chorus with optional horn (or an other instrument)
or version for single chorus with horn (or an other instrument) obbligato] (2016)
5 minutes

Text

In English by Samy Moussa after Robert Burton:

Cold and
Dry and
Thick and
Black and
Sour

— after Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, 1621.

Description

The text for Melancholy’s Attributes features the five adjectives that characterise a melancholic temperament according to Robert Burton as stated in his book The Anathomy of Melancholy: “cold and dry, thick, black, and sour”.

Dedication

Dieter Rexroth

Commission

Commissioned by Audi AG

First performance

July 16, 2016
Ingolstadt, Germany
Stadttheater, Festsaal
Audi Jugendchorakademie
Isaak Seidenberg, horn
Kent Nagano, conductor

Pairing suggestions

Henry Purcell: Hear My Prayer, O Lord
Thomas Tallis: Lamentations of Jeremiah
Tomás L. de Victoria: O Vos Omnes
Carlo Gesualdo: various madrigals
Johannes Brahms: Four Songs, Op. 17
Francis Poulenc: Quatre Motets pour un Temps de Pénitence

Access

Available for hire.
Contact Durand-Salabert-Eschig