Paul Spicer

Drop, Drop Slow Tears

This piece for unaccompanied mixed choir (with frequent voice divisions) was commissioned by Ralph Allwood for the 1987 broadcast of the Eton Choral Course on Radio 3. The inimitable poem by Phineas Fletcher is best known for the timelessly beautiful anthem by Gibbons and the very popular setting by Walton. But this setting is a bit different - it is harmonically complex and holds some challenges for intermediate level choirs. Once the language idiosyncrasies of the text are mastered, the underlying passion of Fletcher's words is conveyed, and the effort is rewarding for chorus and audience alike. The poem is arched with a central stanza that becomes truly passionate at 'to cry for vengeance sin doth never cease.' The final stanza is comforting and the composer finds himself quoting the beginning of Gibbon's setting, which here comes out of nowhere, almost like a blessing.