Magnificat

SATB, 7'00" (2017)

for Dominic Brennan and the Cantus Ensemble, winner of their 2017 Composition Competition

This piece was inspired by Arvo Pärt’s expert and unique use of simple musical elements, particularly the triad. Pärt’s music, and his Nunc Dimittis in particular, is driven by his “tintinnabuli” idea, or the emulation of ringing bells through stepwise motion combined with triad arpeggios. This piece extends that principle by allowing the harmonies to ring even further and more naturally through aleatoricism – having the singers sing independently of each other.  This in turn shows the mystery and magnitude of Mary’s experience in this hymn.

Click here for perusal score.