Crown Winter with Green

“Crown Winter with Green” is scored for double chorus (SATB and SSA(A)), strings, and piano and is the second movement of a larger work, “Wintertide,” which is also available on this website. This piece explores the varied experiences of winter, from festive joy to solitary reflection. Think of it this way: you’re at a lively party, but then everything seems a bit too warm and lively, so you step outside to feel the chill winds, see crystal icicles hanging, and listen to the wild music of the season. You absorb and reflect on it. But it becomes too chilly, so you go back to the party! This is the basic musical form (ternary) and emotional structure of the piece.

Crown Winter with Green
“Crown winter with green” (poem XXVI) by Robert Bridges

Crown Winter with green,
And give him good drink
To physic his spleen
Or ever he think.

His mouth to the bowl,
His feet to the fire;
And let him, good soul,
No comfort desire.

So merry he be,
I bid him abide:
And merry be we
This good Yuletide.

“Woods in Winter” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (selected quatrains: 1, 3, 6, 7)

When winter winds are piercing chill,
And through the hawthorn blows the gale,
With solemn feet I tread the hill,
That overbrows the lonely vale.
. . .
Where, twisted round the barren oak,
The summer vine in beauty clung,
And summer winds the stillness broke,
The crystal icicle is hung.
. . .
But still wild music is abroad,
Pale, desert woods! within your crowd;
And gathering winds, in hoarse accord,
Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud.

Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear
Has grown familiar with your song;
I hear it in the opening year,
I listen, and it cheers me long.

1 - Conductor Score (Full Score)

1 - Piano

4 - Violin 1
4 - Violin 2
3 - Viola
2 - Violoncello
2 - Double Bass