Composer

:

Randall Thompson

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

1940

Average_duration

:

5:34

'Alleluia' is a choral composition by American composer Randall Thompson. It was composed in 1940 and premiered on July 8, 1940, at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, Massachusetts. The piece is a single movement work that lasts for approximately six minutes. The composition is written for a four-part choir, with the text consisting solely of the word "alleluia." The piece is characterized by its simple yet powerful harmonies, which are built around a series of ascending and descending scales. The melody is primarily homophonic, with all four parts singing the same rhythm and melody at the same time. The piece begins with a soft and gentle introduction, with the choir singing the word "alleluia" in a hushed and reverent tone. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the choir singing louder and more forcefully as the piece progresses. The climax of the piece comes towards the end, with the choir singing the word "alleluia" in a powerful and triumphant manner. One of the most notable characteristics of 'Alleluia' is its use of dynamics. The piece features a wide range of dynamics, from the soft and gentle opening to the powerful and triumphant climax. The use of dynamics helps to create a sense of tension and release throughout the piece, as the music builds and then subsides. Another notable characteristic of the piece is its use of repetition. The word "alleluia" is repeated throughout the piece, with the choir singing the word over and over again. This repetition helps to create a sense of unity and continuity throughout the piece, as the music builds and then subsides. Overall, 'Alleluia' is a powerful and moving choral composition that has become one of Randall Thompson's most famous works. Its simple yet powerful harmonies, use of dynamics, and repetition of the word "alleluia" make it a timeless piece of music that continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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