Church-musick

This is a brief yet immediately attractive work that gives a jewel-like quality to the moving text by George Herbert. American composer Robert Roth provides a memorable musical setting by subtly changing the harmony of each verse. The contemplative quality is further extended by the short phrase lengths, giving the listener pause to thinkabout the text. A lovely descant sets off the final verse and the work concludes in quiet wonder. This could make a beautiful introit as well as a prayer response at any time of the year.

Roth has crafted here a small-scale gem. The harmonies are fairly simple though careful intonation will be needed to make the piece effective. The addition of a delicate vocal or instrumental descant bring sthe work to a warm conclusion.

David Halls

Salisbury Cathedral

August 2005

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