‘A Winter Bluejay’, composed by Jack McCartney for Christmas Gift, beautifully interprets Sara Teasdale’s poem of the same name. McCartney, the youngest composer chosen for this collection, crafts a piece that is both evocative and deeply moving, showcasing a maturity beyond his years in handling choral textures and emotional depth.
The piece opens with a delicate duet, paced with a sensitive understanding of musical time. McCartney demonstrates early word painting skills, particularly on the phrase ‘our shadows danced’. Here, one voice mirrors the other, creating a sonic shadow effect, before the two voices intertwine in a graceful dance around each other. As the piece builds towards its first minute, the entrance of the full choir (tutti) brings a sense of warmth and intimacy, reminiscent of a cozy fireside gathering.
McCartney’s vocal writing reveals influences of masters like Howells and Stanford, particularly in his harmonic language and the weighting of vocal parts. The piece echoes the style of Howells’ ‘The Scribe’, a comparison that speaks volumes about McCartney’s control over the choral forces at play. The pacing continues to impress, building with masterful restraint towards the climax at ‘In ecstasy we laughed’. McCartney carefully manages the textural and dynamic growth, holding back the full vocal power until the very last ‘in ecstasy’, where the voices soar to their brightest and most resonant high points.
The conclusion of ‘A Winter Bluejay’ is nothing short of masterful. The shift to humming creates a wonderfully calming atmosphere, with harmonies that evoke the familiar comfort of traditional carols. This tranquil humming then gives way to a sotto voce final statement of the lines:
‘Oh who can tell the range of joy
Or set the bounds of beauty?’
This hushed, intimate delivery penetrates the soul, igniting a quiet fire within the listener. The final chord, a surprising near 7th, is an inspired choice. While unconventional, it resolves the piece with a touch of unexpected beauty, leaving a lasting impression. McCartney’s ‘A Winter Bluejay’ is a testament to his compositional talent, offering a fresh and insightful contribution to the choral repertoire, perfect for the Christmas season and beyond.
