Barcarola

The gentle sway of the gondola is evoked in this Italian secular piece for SAT choir. Braghetta uses flowing melodic lines and a predominantly homophonic texture to paint a serene picture of evening shadows falling upon a silent riverbank. The voices move together to depict the lightness of a boat as it detaches and glides onto the water, eventually venturing out to sea. The text then shifts to a more energetic plea: 'Row, row, mariner!', urging the boatman onwards, a call and response that builds excitement within the music. This charming barcarola offers a delightful programmatic challenge for choirs.