Format: Octavo
SSAATTBB A Cappella
Composer: Brad Nix
Author: Pamela Stewart
Uses: Christmas
Scripture: I John 1:15; II Corinthians 4:6; Luke 2:8-14; Psalm 119:130
From our Psallite Series, we present a sacred tone poem destined to be an important addition to the choral canon. Luxurious in harmonic language, this octavo framed in Latin describes the angel's announcement of Christ's birth to the shepherds. Emerging poetically from stillness and darkness with fragile sound, the piece opens organically as the divine glory of light breaks forth with angelic "Glorias" in luminous chords. Divided voices and evocative watercolor-like dissonances create a substantial sonic stack, a challenge worth taking for choirs of distinction. The cyclical text returns to the opening darkness and silence before ending with peace. Magnificent!