The idea for this work was prompted by a poem –
Hymn Before Sunrise – which describes the majesty
of a mountain in darkness, the sounds of a nearby
waterfall and so on. Nothing came of the exposure
to these pictures except for general thoughts
about the dawn of day and a series of movements
expressing a personal response to the wonder of
creation in an imaginary moment in time.
The movement titles, which were added later, are
intended to underline a prevailing sense of
worship, wonder and exaltation. The music is
pure, not pictoral, though listeners may conjure
their own images. An actual hymn – Tallis' Cannon
– is incorporated. There are five movements:
1. Thanksgiving: A short prelude in two parts.
First a brief passage of 'dawn music' before
things become more vigorous: fanfare-like music
ushers in the trombone section's presentation of
the Tallis tune. A broad band version concludes
the movement.
2. De Profundis: A slow movement shot through
with anxious questionings featuring flugel and
trombone. The mood lightens a little in the
centre where the soprano cornet is featured and
the movement ends serenely.
3. Celebration is characterised by rhythmic
drive, this is buoyant with plenty of incident
pointed up by the percussion.
4. Invocation: Melodic in nature and sober in
mood, the first section is a series of short
solos mingled with chorale-like statements.
Central to the movement is a chorale-prelude
style presentation of the Tallis tune. The third
section reintroduces the earlier solo music by
the full ensemble. Dissolving, the music enters
the last movement without a break.
5. Paean: Marked allegro con spirito there is,
quite rightly, a fair amount of fun in the
rejoicing. Snatches of Tallis are heard, then
comes a gentle passage with a cornet solo leading
to fanfare music and recapitulation. Two
recitatives are succeeded by a coda which brings
the work to a sonorous and exultant
conclusion.
