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Writer's pictureStanley M. Hoffman

Choral Piece of the Day, Installment 33: "Remember," Published by the Oxford University Press Music Department

Choral Piece of the Day, Installment 33: "Remember," Published by the Oxford University Press Music Department: Composed in 2009 for SATB chorus (divisi) unaccompanied, this is a setting of a poem by the same name by Christina Rossetti.


This hauntingly beautiful setting tonal and yet adventurous in its choice of harmony. This simple, slow piece ends on a wonderfully soft tone, which, combined with the text, makes it ideal for memorial services, and remembrance-themed concerts.

 

Follow the next URL to hear a demo recording made by the versatile vocalist, Matthew Curtis. of Choral Tracks. https://static.wixstatic.com/mp3/f3e5c9_3acb879e051b4b1cbdfe0bc734027748.mp3


Follow the next URL to see and hear the composer's YouTube music video for this title which uses the same track as described above. https://youtu.be/xGvzjV_5y-c?si=3Lz4olr2iK0Q8iUk


Follow the next URL to order copies of the choral score from Amazon; the ISBN for this publication is ISBN 978-0193372221.



Background


I first took note of this poem when composer Stephen Chatman submitted his now classic setting of it to ECS Publishing Group when I was Chief Editor there in around 2001-2002. His composition is so effective, that it took years for me to even begin to hear my own pitches for a setting of my own.


When I finally completed work on my own setting in 2009, I knew right away that I did not want to go up against Chatman's setting at the same publishing house, so I sent it to the Oxford University Press Music Department for consideration for publication. My setting was published by them in 2010.


Text


Remember me when I am gone away,

         Gone far away into the silent land;

         When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

         You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

         Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

         And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

         For if the darkness and corruption leave

         A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

         Than that you should remember and be sad.


—Christina Rossetti (1830—1894)





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