Paul David Thomas

Tenorbass.
The Brook is like a stream: moving, chattering along, captured by the perpetual motion in the piano part and the use of the asymmetric meter of 7/8 that creates a constant sense of forward momentum. Great fun to sing and count, The Brook includes text from a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It is a programming must for TB ensembles of all sizes. Also available for SA Voices (BL1045).
This piece sets excerpts from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem The Brook. The poem depicts the sight and sounds along the ever-moving brook, using as its refrain “for men may come and men may go, but I go on forever.” The feel of a chattering brook is captured by the perpetual motion of the piano part and the use of the asymmetric meter of 7/8. The meter should be counted 2+2+3 (1-2, 1-2, 1-2-3) with a strong accent on the downbeat. Feel free to use a "schwa" (unstressed syllable) at the end of the word “chatter.” The overall feel of 7/8 creates a sense of forward momentum as the downbeat always seems to arrive a moment too early. Despite this effect, the piece should never sound hurried or frantic.The choir should pay special attention to the different articulations and style markings throughout the piece. Even at forte, the overall sound should retain a brisk and light quality that never becomes too heavy.

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