Rejoice the Lord is Near

SKU: PL.0102

This text from Philippians is set to music of charm and grace. The interval of a third is announced by the organ at the opening and is developed throughout the work. The piece grows in harmonic richness to the words, with thanksgiving. The peace of God is expressed in more contemplative music and the opening text is repeated at the conclusion in a quiet fashion.

The up-dating of the familiar text from Phillipians 4:4-8 firmly places this wrok within the Advent lectionary. The five verses of the text are treated as mini-motets with complimentary organ passages serving as interludes into each verse. The writing is in a simpler imitative style with skillful writing in thirds for the sopranos and altos. Once singing, the voices are most often doubled within the organ accompaniment. A well-crafted work for SAB voices. - Cross Accent August 2005.