Opus 880
The Rose Tree Carol (2010)
for SATB Chorus Unaccompanied
Text by Alan Hovhaness
Harvard University Choir; Edward Elwyn Jones, conductor
Duration: 2.5 min.
Dedication: for Henry Forsythe-Jones on his first Christmas
Commission: Commissioned by The Memorial Church, Harvard University
Recorded on The Welcome News: Choral Music of Carson Cooman (2012)Publisher: Zimbel Press/Subito Music Corp.
Performance materials available from the publisher.
The Rose Tree Carol (2010) was composed for the 101st Annual Christmas Carol Services of The Memorial Church at Harvard University. It is dedicated to Henry Elwyn Forsythe-Jones on his first Christmas.
Lost in winter snow,
Tossed as ice winds blow,
Crying, dying,
Torn by storm asunder,
Worn by frozen plunder,
Behold! Behold! What wonder!
Sudden, solemn, sacred sight,
Glory beaming, holy light,
In vast darkness burning bright.
A rose tree blossoms in deepest night.
Alan Hovhaness (1911–2000)