r/choralmusic

Hello!

In 2021, I performed a piece titled ‘Like as the Thrush in Winter.’ 4/4, arranged by a female composer. The poem was originally written by Thomas Hardy, known as “The Darkling Thrush.” Important note: I am NOT looking for the Edmond Holmes version.

As far as I know, there is no physical evidence of this music existing besides the Minnesota State University Moorhead’s collection. I’ve searched IMSLP, the Choral Music Database, Internet Archive, and asked everyone I was in the ensemble with. None of us can remember the composer, nor do we have any recording of it.

It was the most beautiful piece I’d ever sang- I think of it often. Probably far too often, to be honest. The lyrics are a chunk of the poem:

‘Like as the thrush in winter when the skies
Are drear and dark and all the woods are bare,
Sings undismayed, till from his melodies
Odours of spring float through the frozen air; -
So in my heart, when sorrow’s icy breath
Is bleak and bitter, and its frost is strong,
Leaps up, defiant of despair and death,

(there’s a second verse to the poem here, but it’s not in the rendition i’m searching for.)

Oh, if my lips, which are for ever dumb,
Could sing to men what my sad heart has heard –
Life’s darkest hour with songs of joy would ring,
Life’s blackest frost would blossom into spring.’

If anyone has any leads, or is like “Dude this one’s easy, I have a copy,” PLEASE let me know. This is a 2 year hunt in the making. I’ve asked the director, and he cannot remember. Nor can he find the music.

Thank you all so much!!

Hey yall, I recently played saxophone with a choir and since then I’ve been looking to see if I could find any other choral works that included saxophone or saxophone quartet. If anyone knows of any cool music that I could check out that would be amazing!
The choir I play with is a collegiate level choir

Thank you so much in advance!!!