Forbes L'Estange: Song of Harvest
Come, ye thankful people, come
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Song of Harvest was first published as part of the Autumn section of A Season to Sing, Forbes L’Estrange’s 40-minute choral re-imagining of The Four Seasons, written to mark the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s beloved work. Instead of the hunting scene and captured prey portrayed in the original violin concerto, Forbes L’Estrange has created an anthem of harvest thanksgiving, employing two texts on that theme: Henry Alford’s familiar hymn Come, ye thankful people, come and, for the slower section, a passage from Exodus: on the seventh day, even during harvest season, you shall rest.
Mixed voice choirs are encouraged to perform the opening and central sections of the piece unaccompanied, as suggested in the score. If this is not feasible, the organist can, of course, add support. In any case, choirs should aim for a maximum contrast of mood and articulation between the two sections, one being joyful and accented, the other being languid and legato with the highest pitches sung, with minimal or no vibrato, by a solo soprano. This piece also works well with just upper voices (i.e. SA), omitting the Tenor and Bass lines which are covered by the organ part.
Song of Harvest by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange
from A Season to Sing