Tim Shantz, the Artistic Director of Calgary’s Juno-nominated choir Luminous Voices, contacted Calgary composer Arthur Bachmann in late September 2020 to ask if he would write an unaccompanied choral work for Luminous Voices.
“I was thrilled,” says Bachmann. “I am a huge fan of the choir and had always wished to write for them.”
After searching for text for a while, Bachmann presented a few poems that caught his eye.
“Some were fairly dark, as this was still in the beginning of the pandemic, but one poem soon stood out as the one I wished to use.”
In the book of poems Bachmann had, ‘Weepe you no more’ was classed as an anonymous poem from the 1600s. The poem provides rich imagery, melancholy metaphors, and insight into the Elizabethan period.
“Little did I realize, until Tim mentioned it, these words were first set to music by non-other than John Dowland. Quite a few settings followed in the intervening few hundred years including one by Canadian composer Healy Williams. It seems I chose a rather daunting task of following these august footsteps.
I chose to use the original spelling and words from the Dowland setting, as this seemed the most original and evocative to me. For me, ’Weepe you no more’ is about comforting and reconciling oneself to the loss of a loved one. There is acknowledgement of loss, the bittersweet acceptance of grief, and hope and conviction that there is at least peace in the end. Or perhaps even something beyond.”
My music is melody and harmony-driven, with my own 21st-century bent, and I hope does justice to these long-lasting, evocative words. At a time when we all perhaps need some hope and peace in our lives, I truly hope my music gives some small measure of this.”
--------
‘Weepe you no more’ will be premiered at Luminous Voices’ 10 Years of Luminous Voices concert on Sunday, November 6, 2022 at the Bella Concert Hall, Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts, Mount Royal University. For more information, visit www.luminousvoices.com.
Find tickets