Hunters and Hounds by hutchingsmusic

"Hunters and Hounds", final movement of "Statue Songs"
Commissioned and premiered by Dingwall Choral Society
Conducted by Norman Bolton
Pianist: Aileen Fraser
Libretto by Bob Pegg
Music by Chris Hutchings
https://www.hutchingsmusic.co.uk

Hoary dawn - shifting haar
Early mason walks to shore
Waiting there - slab of stone
Mason stands - eyes wide
Fingers spread, caresses stone
Grips chisel - raises mallet
Strikes!
Out of stone burst…
Hounds and hunters, hunters and hounds, hallooing and baying at break of day
Hounds and hunters, hunters and hounds, rumbling down the rattling scree
Bold the bray of the echoing horn, misty their breath as they pant along
Steely their purpose - they ride to the kill, ride to the kill of the stag on the hill
Deep in a pool in the river, drowsy salmon
Hangs in chasms of dimpling, dappling light
Out of the woods, boar - bustling, bristling -
Trips to the brim of the pool to drink at dawn
Hard on his trotters, bear - grumbling, tumbling -
Seeking breakfast - salmon fresh from the stream
Bear skids - boar bucks
Bear rears - boar shies
Sharp teeth - yellow tusks
Sharp claws - piggy eyes
Descending the hill, hounds and hunters
Clattering round the river’s bend -
At the sight of bear and bristling boar
Dogs stall, horses shy,
Dogs riot, riders fall
Stag on the hill, roused by the racket
Scenting the carnage - turns and runs
Down through birch, juniper, pine
Out of the ken of the hunters and hounds
Boar barrels back into the thickety woods
Snarling and snuffling, bear bids breakfast goodbye
Salmon, in jewelled fastness, dreams of the sea
Sun is setting - close of day
Out of stone, mason has summoned
Horses, riders, hounds, prey
Boar, bear, salmon, stag
Magicked up before his eyes
Happy mason, whistling home
Out in the bay dolphins rise,
dreams of the sea...