Hatshepsut’s Chant and Dance

John Rutter

Product code:

B0717

£18.00

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Description
Queen Hatshepsut was one of the most enigmatic and interesting figures in ancient Egyptian history. She was the only woman to ever rule as “pharaoh” at a time when only males were allowed to hold that position. For this reason she is often depicted in carvings and drawings of the period wearing a beard or a man’s clothing. She also had a secret love affair with an architect named Senmut, who designed many beautiful buildings in her day, including the dramatic Deir El-Bahari temple carved out of a jagged cliff in Thebes. Since no music of that period survives, this work is an imagining of a secret chant and private dance Hatshepsut may have performed for Senmut. The work begins with strange and beguiling chants in the bassoon, including exotic “multiphonics.” (Bassoon fingerings for the mutiphonics are included with the score and part.) These are accompanied in the piano with musical gestures reflecting the closing of large, stone,tomb doors, marches of the temple priests, and amagical sprinkling of ancient chords. The dance that follows is in the spirit of the infamous “Dance of the Seven Veils,” in which, during each section the female dancer sheds another layer of covering and increases the pace. beginning slowly, each of the seven sections build in peed and motion leader both the dancer and her audience into a furious, wild, spinning finale.
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Description
Queen Hatshepsut was one of the most enigmatic and interesting figures in ancient Egyptian history. She was the only woman to ever rule as “pharaoh” at a time when only males were allowed to hold that position. For this reason she is often depicted in carvings and drawings of the period wearing a beard or a man’s clothing. She also had a secret love affair with an architect named Senmut, who designed many beautiful buildings in her day, including the dramatic Deir El-Bahari temple carved out of a jagged cliff in Thebes. Since no music of that period survives, this work is an imagining of a secret chant and private dance Hatshepsut may have performed for Senmut. The work begins with strange and beguiling chants in the bassoon, including exotic “multiphonics.” (Bassoon fingerings for the mutiphonics are included with the score and part.) These are accompanied in the piano with musical gestures reflecting the closing of large, stone,tomb doors, marches of the temple priests, and amagical sprinkling of ancient chords. The dance that follows is in the spirit of the infamous “Dance of the Seven Veils,” in which, during each section the female dancer sheds another layer of covering and increases the pace. beginning slowly, each of the seven sections build in peed and motion leader both the dancer and her audience into a furious, wild, spinning finale.
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About the Composer

John Rutter, born on September 24, 1945, in London, England, is a contemporary composer, conductor, and arranger, renowned for his significant contributions to choral music. He displayed musical talent early in life and received his education at Highgate School, where he was a chorister, and later at Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied music under the tutelage of Sir David Willcocks.

Rutter’s career is marked by his prolific output of choral compositions, which range from large-scale works to smaller-scale anthems and carols. His compositions often draw inspiration from traditional melodies and texts, which he blends with modern harmonies and arrangements, creating music that is both accessible and emotionally resonant.

In addition to his work as a composer, Rutter has made substantial contributions as a conductor and arranger. He has conducted many choirs and orchestras worldwide, including the Cambridge Singers, a professional chamber choir he founded in 1981. Under his direction, the Cambridge Singers have become internationally acclaimed for their recordings of choral music, including many of Rutter’s own compositions.

Throughout his career, Rutter’s music has garnered widespread popularity and has become a staple in the repertoire of choirs around the world. His compositions, such as the “Gloria” and “Requiem,” are frequently performed in concert halls and churches, and his arrangements of traditional carols are beloved by audiences during the holiday season.

John Rutter’s contributions to choral music have earned him numerous awards and honors, including several honorary degrees and appointments as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music. He continues to compose, conduct, and advocate for the importance of choral music in the cultural landscape.

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