Agnus Dei
for SATB choir and piano
World premiere performance by VoxO chamber vocal ensemble, directed by Claire Hodge, in conjunction with OCCO (Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra) on their concert "From the Ashes" at Harriett's Orlando Ballet Centre on July 27, 2024. Additional performance by Woodlands Joyful Sounds Choir, 2024.
I have always greatly enjoyed traditional Gregorian chant style music. It's simplicity and metric ambiguity has always fascinated me. When I came up with the main musical idea (the first two measures, essentially) for Agnus Dei, I had no plans to compose any choral music. However, this little idea had such resemblances to an ancient Gregorian melody that I had almost no choice but to employ it in a choral setting. Naturally, the inclination was to use the traditional Latin text as well. Harmonically, on the other hand, my work is much more modern--making use of many small add chords, pandiatonic-type functions, and parallel motions that any Western music theorist would despise. I felt that this combination--an archaic sounding melody and modern harmonic ideas--creates a warm and lush musical space that is not just appropriate for a concert hall but also feels right at home in a mass or church service.
Recording coming soon!
Instrumentation: SATB choir and Piano
Duration: About 5 minutes
Score available for purchase.
Click here to access the contact page.