Commissioned by Bedford School for their chapel choir, this Christmas anthem sets a poem by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179): her Alleluia-verse for the Virgin Mary O virga mediatrix. The poem focuses on the essential Christmas mystery of the Incarnation, and both the original Latin text and the beautiful poetic English rendering by Barbara Newman are used. The text is replete with vivid images of the Virgin birth and the union of heaven and earth.
Musically, we begin with a rising up from the dark depths, with reference to Indian ragas, towards the light bursting forth from the Virgin Mary (ie, Christ). The effect of this on the world brings joyful pealing, followed by the central meditation on the awesome mystery. Tolling bells are imitated as ‘Two realms become one’. Tolling is transformed into (again) pealing, as we race towards a vision of the eternal celebration of the Christmas mystery.
This work is discussed in a paper published by Middlesex University. Click here to read more here.
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Recorded 6/12/2015, Bedford School: Bedford School Chapel Choir/Jeremy Rouse
Audience/performer comments:
I really enjoyed your composition. I thought it was modern but musical, had parts that reminded me of the best of Sigur Ross, and other parts that defied expectations….
Thank you so much for composing ‘Alleluia for the Virgin’ - I really liked how atmospheric and unique it was! …when it all came together it sounded really effective; I particularly liked the [central] quartet section.
A shorter (and simpler) version of this work, entitled ‘
A Little Christmas Alleluia‘, is also available on Composers Edition (
ce-bi1alca1).
- ISMN: 9790570682775 (M570682775)