User:Robevans123/sandbox/Cantata Memoria

Cantata Memoria (Cantata Memoria: For the Children) is a choral work written to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster. It was commissioned by S4C, a Welsh language TV channel, and composed by Sir Karl Jenkins with a libretto in Welsh, English, and Latin, written by the poet Mererid Hopwood. The work is scored for a mixed chorus including adults and children, baritone and soprano soloists, and orchestra with solos for violin, euphonium and harp. The work received its premiere on 8 October 2016 as part of a memorial concert at the Wales Milennium Centre, Cardiff.

Although the work was written in memory of the Aberfan Disaster, it also mourns the loss of children in later disasters. The work is performed continuously, but is in two parts. The first part reflects on the disaster and the following days, and the second part celebrates childhood and moves from darkness to light.

Structure
Cantata Memoria comprises 11 movements, performed continuously. The movements are:


 * 1) Pitran, patran
 * The work opens with harp, percussion, and pizzicato strings simulating the sound of raindrops before the adult chorus sing "pitran, patran", onomatopoetic words for rain.


 * 1) Then Silence
 * blurb


 * 1) Cortège


 * 1) Lament for the Valley


 * 1) Lacrimosa Lullaby


 * 1) Did I hear a bird?


 * 1) Satin Feathers


 * 1) And−a−half


 * 1) And once upon a time


 * 1) When the shadow dies


 * 1) Lux æterna