Octavo of the Month (March 2006)
Mike Walag, ICDA High School R&S Chair
Sonnet of the Moon
David Childs
Santa Barbara SBMP 577
SATB, piano
Medium Difficulty, 4:00
This is a delicious musical setting of a poem by the 17th century English poet, Charles Best. The poem compares the moon’s effect on the ebb and flow of the ocean to a lover’s presence on the ebb and flow of love with one’s heart. It’s a beautiful thing to find such a wonderful wedding of poetry, vocal line, and piano accompaniment.
David Childs uses some wonderful text imagery in his compositional style, painting the moaning of the waves with minor 2nds, the departing of one’s lover by the departing of the piano accompaniment, etc. I think you would find this piece a great teaching tool (legato line, arch phrasing, balance, and blend) as well as a fine piece of musical artistry for your students.
Check out other works by this fine composer at www.sbmp.com