Instrumentation

org - 2 vln.vla.vlc

Availability

Full score, vocal score and parts on special sale from the Hire Library (hire@fabermusic.com)

Programme Notes

Fire of Love has words taken from The Living Flame of Love by the 16th century mystic St John of the Cross. In these inspired verses, John expresses the highest longings of the human spirit that spring from the fire of Godʼs love. The music opens with rhapsodic phrases on the cello which in turn introduce the choir. The choral phrases build up into crescendos of fiery love. A solo soprano sings of the soul who feels at last wholly enkindled in Divine union. This is followed by a response from the violin confirming the fragile and delicate awakenings of the soul. A solo tenor sings of the soulʼs rapture as it savours the taste of eternal life. This again is followed by a duet between viola and cello. The music continues alternating between solo soprano and tenor, chorus and instrumental variations, culminating in the soulʼs realization of this final consummation. In the short coda, the soul is transported into the consuming fire of love.