The Last Post (They Shall Grow Not Old)
COMPOSER’S NOTE
The Last Post originally appeared as part of the fourth and final movement of The Great War Symphony which I wrote to commemorate the centenary of the First World War in 2018. It fuses the words ‘They Shall Grow Not Old” from the iconic poem by Laurence Binyon with the bugle (or cornet / trumpet) playing the Last Post. The choir must strive above all else to blend with the timbre of the soprano soloist, ensuring that their dynamic level never interferes with her piano singing. The choral phrases must be as legato as possible with pure, focused vowel sounds.
The Vocal Score and Full Score of The Great War Symphony are available as well as the sheet music for other selected excerpts from the Symphony, including:
DURATION
2 minutes
CHORUS
SATB and Soprano Solo
INSTRUMENTATION
Cornet and Piano/Organ OR Strings
YEAR OF COMPOSITION
2018
PUBLISHER
Audio Network & Hawes Music
SHEET MUSIC
Available from
Hawes Music
JW Pepper
Music Room
Music Shop Europe
Orchestral Parts available on hire
Email: andyberry@hawesmusic.com
Tel: +44 (0)7879 645621
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Words: ‘For The Fallen’ (excerpt), Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)