Page 21 - CJJuneJuly25
P. 21
Celebrating Legacy and Unity: The Enduring Influence of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast
memorability of the work (Figure 2 on the next page). showcases the composer’s fluency in handling complex
In addition to the tenor aria, Coleridge-Taylor’s vo- choral textures while ensuring that the text remains
cal lines for the chorus are meticulously constructed to clear and intelligible to the listener.
balance individual expression with ensemble cohesion. Rhythm plays a central role in creating the vitality
He employs both homophonic textures and contrapun- and movement of Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast. The rhyth-
tal passages. These contrasting techniques allow for a mic structure varies throughout the cantata, with some
variety of expressive possibilities, enhancing the emo- sections featuring stately, processional rhythms and oth-
tional depth of the piece. The choral sections, particu- ers employing more fluid patterns. Influenced by both
larly those depicting the wedding feast, use rich harmo- European classical traditions and the rhythmic char-
nies with overlapping vocal entrances, creating a sense acteristics of African music—an aspect significant due
of community and collective joy. The vocal writing to Coleridge-Taylor’s mixed heritage—the work incor-
CHORAL JOURNAL June/July 2025 Volume 65 Number 9 19
