Colin Mawby: How Wonderful Is the South of the River (TTBB)

Colin Mawby sets a touching Chinese poem by the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi in this expressive work for male choir (TTBB). The text evokes the beauty of the South of the River through vivid images of rivers, flowers, sunlight and lush green landscapes, while also expressing a deep sense of memory and longing.

The music combines a seemingly calm and peaceful character with moments of strong emotional intensity. Mawby calls for cantabile, sustained and highly expressive singing, with careful attention to breath control, intonation, dynamics and ensemble balance. A compelling choice for male choirs looking for an atmospheric and emotionally expressive contemporary work.