Androcosme is the tenth movement of the wider work Miroir Des Poèmes, a work which sets 22 poems by the French poet and philosopher Jean Biès. This piece is arranged for unaccompanied doubleSATBChoir, and lasts around 3 minutes.
Miroir Des Poèmes was commissioned by the Vancouver Chamber Choir to mark their 40th anniversary in 2011, with major funding coming from the Arts PartnersinCreative Development. The lyrics of Androcosme include a refrain which depicts the progression of man's life through various emotions, comparing them to the natural world in a beautifully poeticmetaphor.Tavener himself describes this piece as part of the central section which is 'the metaphysical and mystical centre of the piece'.
Please note the words are in French, but anEnglishtranslation is provided.
