SATB divisi, 3’20”

Hopkins – who became famous for his use of “sprung rhythm” in poetry – juxtaposes the perfectness of God’s creation with the way man has desecrated the world. My musical setting begins with a melodic line reminiscent of a trumpet call, followed by a transition into the sounds of heavy industry tromping through the world. Regardless of man’s treatment of nature, it remains latent and waiting to spring forth, signalling a transition in the music to softly flowing, legato lines.

World premiere by the University of Aberdeen Chapel Choir, conducted by Paul Mealor, 5 October 2018.