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Commissioned by True Concord (Tucson, AZ) for their annual Christmas Lessons and Carols, these settings of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis are powerful and effective. Melding an almost British sensibility with a contemporary musical language, they require an advanced ensemble and capable organist. We think you'll agree that the results are stunning.
Notes from the Composer:
Magnificat: Imagine you are a teenage Jewish girl a little over 2 thousand years ago. You have almost no power to affect any change in your life other than the biological ones that are happening to you daily. You've been feeling strange lately, nauseous in the mornings. You're soon to be married to an older man you barely know. Your cousin Elizabeth is pregnant and you are on your way to visit her. As you walk, you silently meditate on your current state of affairs, absentmindedly chanting a prayer you've heard since birth.
Suddenly, a bright light and strange being appear, the being greets you and gives you the most bizarre news anyone has ever heard. After your initial shock, you can't help but praise God.
Nunc dimittis: An old man is at the temple in Jerusalem. Year after year, day after day, hour after hour he has longed for deliverance from Roman oppression and the coming of Messiah. On this day, as he trudges along, he encounters a young girl, an older man and a baby. Not unusual, but something about the child catches his eye and draws him to the family. As he stands staring at the child, suddenly he knows. He knows! This is the One he has been waiting for. The long wait is over. The search is ended. He takes the baby from the mother and holds him close. He feels not elation as much as relief. He can now rest in peace.
English
