Night

Richard Allain's Night for SATB and Cello. Night Was commissioned by Commotio, and recieved its premiere in Merton College, Oxford in June 2007, conducted by Matthew Berry, and is available on the Herald label (HAVP340).

Composer's Note: Given the long phrase lengths of Night, it is suggested that choirs Stagger breathing where necessary. The last page of the score requires some explanation. The singers should split into three separate groups: two equal SATB choirs and an SATB solo quartet.

Each group sings their own music - each repetition being separated by a long pause - independent of the other groups. Thus, Choir I will begin and, as they finish, Choir II willcommence etc. The music should continue for about two minutes, getting gradually quieter with each repetition.

Though a common pulse should be kept, the groups begin each repetition as they wish: the music should overlap and blur. Against this, the solo Cello plays its fragments of melody. The choirs, at the conductor's discretion, should end in the order they began, leaving the cello to play its last notes as the echoes fade.
Duration: 20 minutes