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Many languages associate each day of the week with one of seven heavenly objects known in ancient times: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. English has retained these origins for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. For the four other days, however, the names of Anglo-Saxon or Nordic gods have replaced the Roman gods that gave name to the planets. Thus, Tuesday is named after Tiu, Wednesday is named after Woden, Thursday is named after Thor, and Friday is named after Freya.
In 2005, Scottish composer Tom Cunningham and English poet Paul Wigmore wrote a short song entitled The Great God Thor for the National Boys Choir of the National Youth Choir of Scotland. This proved to be such a success at its premiere that Christopher Bell, Artistic Director of NYCoS, invited Tom to expand the piece into a complete cantata. Thus the Saga of the Seven Days was born. The other six movements are set by Tom to texts by the Brussels-based writer, Derek Roberts.
NYCoS National Boys Choir first performances in 2006
15 April 2006 Premiere Perth Concert Hall, Perth, Scotland
12 May 2006 Christ Church, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
13 May 2006 Elmwood Hall at Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
7 October 2006 Coats Memorial Church, Paisley, (Paisley Choral Festival)
10 March 2007, Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach, St Ives, Cornwall, by
Cornwall Junior Choir conducted by Christopher Gray.
Chris wrote "The
kids LOVED it and the audience was very enthusiastic."
9 June 2007, Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road, London, by the
Royal College of Music Junior Department Treble Choir conducted by Neil
Ferris.
Neil wrote "The kids sang their hearts out (one or two small slips) and
LOVED the piece. The Director of the Junior Dept was full of praise for
the piece, as were so many of my colleagues. It went down very well with
the audience as well."
30 June 2007, Helston Methodist Church, Coinagehall Street, Helston,
Cornwall, by Cornwall Junior Choir conducted by Christopher Gray.
Click here for a Press review of Saga of the Seven Days
Music Tom Cunningham
Lyrics Derek Roberts (1,2,3,4,6,7)
Paul Wigmore (5)
Narration Derek Roberts and Christopher Bell
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