Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice
Type
Piece
Composer
Julian David Bryson
Composer Nationality
American
Composer Date of Birth
1980
Text
Robert Frost
Year Composed
2002
Pages
5
Minutes
2:30
Language
English
Voicing
5 part mixed chorus
Divisi
No
Sacred or Secular
Secular
Mood
Restrained, holding back; Rhythmic, with steady energy
Description

Fire and Ice takes the well-known poem and weaves it into a dialogue—at times an argument—inviting both choir and audience to take sides. Rather than seeking textual clarity, the setting focuses on the similar vowel sounds central to key words. This leaves the conclusion up to the audience’s decision, even as late as the final chord, where both fire and ice sound simultaneously.

Audio Credit
C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective
Publisher/Distributor
MusicSpoke.com
Group
C4, Triad
Performances
Triad: 2015 November (Home), cond. De Tar (World Premiere); C4: 2018 June 7 & 9 (Water Music), cond. Townsend (New York Premiere)