Description
"Westward Ho!" is an 8-part canon for voices and viola da gambas that depicts the western migration from Europe to the New World, partly as historical reality and partly as historical criticism.
A steady tom beat opens the canon, and we hear the enthusiastic tune on the gambas, with taped sound effects of the creaks and splashes onboard an ancient ship. The chorus sings Westward Ho ! " and a solo voice joins in backed up by a glockenspiel: "Little Man, close your eyes and go to sleep if you can." And the music continues: "Westward Ho ! Out of Plymouth, on to Plymouth we go. All is clear. You're asleep without so much as a tear. ' Westward Ho !"
The music fades, and re-appears with the sounds of horses and a solo dog and a cow and prairie schooners on the Oregon Trail. A banjo is added to the string instruments, and the chorus sings "Westward Ho ! Westward Ho ! out of Portland, on to Portland we go, Westward Ho ! ".
This piece is a delight with its environmental sounds, gently rocking counterpoint, foot-tapping rhythms, and sweetly sung wisdom from the chorus.
~ All Music Guide