Composer

:

Stephen Paulus

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2003

Average_duration

:

3:35

'Splendid Jewel' is a choral work composed by Stephen Paulus in 1997. The piece was premiered on May 3, 1997, by the Dale Warland Singers at the Ordway Music Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota. The work is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "Splendid Jewel," is a setting of a text by the 9th-century Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva. The movement begins with a solo soprano voice singing a simple melody, which is then echoed by the choir. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir singing in harmony and the soprano soloist soaring above. The movement ends with a quiet, contemplative section, with the choir singing softly in unison. The second movement, titled "The Lotus Sutra," is a setting of a text from the Buddhist scripture of the same name. The movement begins with a solo tenor voice singing a chant-like melody, which is then taken up by the choir. The music is characterized by its rhythmic complexity, with the choir singing in a variety of different meters and rhythms. The movement ends with a powerful climax, with the choir singing in harmony and the tenor soloist soaring above. The third movement, titled "The Heart Sutra," is a setting of a text from the Buddhist scripture of the same name. The movement begins with a solo alto voice singing a simple melody, which is then echoed by the choir. The music is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, with the choir singing in dense, complex harmonies. The movement ends with a quiet, contemplative section, with the choir singing softly in unison. Overall, 'Splendid Jewel' is a powerful and moving work that showcases Paulus's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of complex harmonies, rhythmic complexity, and soaring vocal lines. The text, drawn from Buddhist scripture, adds a spiritual dimension to the music, making it a deeply meaningful and transcendent work.

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