Ben Lunn
Vox Clamantis
Short instrumentation: 2 2 2 2 - 4 2 3 1, timp, perc(2), str
Duration: 10'
Instrumentation details:
flute
flute
oboe
cor anglais
clarinet in Bb
bass clarinet
bassoon
contrabassoon
horn in F
horn in F
horn in F
horn in F
trumpet in Bb
trumpet in Bb
tenor trombone
tenor trombone
bass trombone
tuba
timpani
percussion
percussion
violin I (10 players)
violin II (8 players)
viola (6 players)
violoncello (6 players)
double bass (4 players)
Vox Clamantis
Video
Work introduction
Written as part of the RSNO's 'Composer's Hub' Vox Clamantis takes inspiration from a text by John Gower, written around the same time as the 1381 peasant's revolt.
The significance of the peasant's revolt is it is arguably the first time people of Britain rose up with a class identity.
Building upon this, the piece brings into question the importance of patriotism and popular struggle within Britain. Drawing upon texts by Niclas Y Glais (Rwyn Gweld O Bedd), Langston Hughes (Democracy), and the Moorsoldaten the piece shows us an optimistic vision of the future, the importance of fighting for it, and the final joy: 'One day we shall cry rejoicing homeland dear you are Mine at last'