Joseph Phibbs: The Moon's Funeral - Contemporary Vocal Composition

Product Information

• UPC/Item Number: RICL00019000
• ISMN: 9790570029228 / 979-0570029228
• Product Type: Musical Score
• Genre: Contemporary Art Song
• Instrumentation: Countertenor and Piano
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3
• Language: English
• Publisher: Ricordi

Overview

"The Moon’s Funeral" is a hauntingly beautiful and emotionally charged contemporary art song by Joseph Phibbs, composed for the unique and expressive pairing of countertenor and piano. Premiered at Wigmore Hall in London on January 29, 2017, the work was brought to life by two outstanding interpreters of modern song—Tim Mead (countertenor) and James Baillieu (piano)—in a performance that highlighted the piece’s lyrical intensity and poetic subtlety. Set to a vivid and evocative text, The Moon’s Funeral explores a landscape of imagined ritual and celestial melancholy, drawing listeners into a world that feels both intimate and mythic. Phibbs’ music captures the delicate balance between clarity and mystery, setting the poetry with careful attention to its natural cadences and emotional undercurrents. The song's atmosphere is one of quiet intensity, where stillness and motion, light and shadow coexist in a finely wrought musical texture.

The countertenor voice, with its pure, ethereal timbre, becomes an ideal vehicle for the text’s introspective tone, offering moments of stark vulnerability alongside passages of lyrical warmth and strength. Phibbs writes with a deep understanding of the voice’s potential for expressive nuance, shaping melodic lines that are both vocally rewarding and dramatically compelling. Meanwhile, the piano part is integral to the emotional arc of the piece. Far from a mere accompaniment, it functions as an equal partner—providing atmosphere, color, and rhythmic momentum. Through its gently shifting harmonies, layered textures, and poignant interjections, the piano mirrors and deepens the emotional landscape suggested by the vocal line. Phibbs’ harmonic language is at once contemporary and accessible, marked by subtle dissonances and modal inflections that evoke a sense of timeless elegy. The Moon’s Funeral exemplifies Phibbs’ ability to weave poetry and music into a singular expressive fabric, creating a song that is rich in both sonic detail and emotional resonance. It stands as a notable contribution to the 21st-century art song repertoire, particularly for the countertenor voice—a rare and thoughtful exploration of both human fragility and the quiet grandeur of the night sky.

Product Features

• Format: Full Musical Score
• Vocal Configuration: Countertenor with Piano Accompaniment
• Difficulty Level: Grade 3 (Intermediate)
• Composition Style: Contemporary art song
• Performance Requirements: Expressive interpretation and technical precision

Interesting Facts

• World Premiere: Performed at Wigmore Hall, London on January 29, 2017
• Performers: Tim Mead (countertenor) and James Baillieu (piano)
• Artistic Significance: Represents Phibbs' sophisticated approach to vocal composition
• Composer Background: Joseph Phibbs is a prominent contemporary English composer born in 1974 Performance Considerations
• Vocal Demands: Requires nuanced countertenor interpretation

Publishers

Published by Ricordi, a prestigious international music publishing house known for supporting contemporary classical music.

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