Epitaph
Staff Notation • Secular, Canons
2 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Epitaph by Jonathan Battishill — Lyrics
About Epitaph
Jonathan Battishill's Epitaph is a fascinating example of secular vocal writing for four voices, TTTT. The piece employs the contrapuntal technique of canon, where all voices enter with the same melody in succession. The English text offers a wry, witty commentary on marital roles, hinting at a playful inversion of expected positions. This short, ingenious canon is a perfect example of the musical wit prevalent in the genre. Its concise form and clever text make it an engaging choice for choirs looking for something both musically interesting and thematically light-hearted.