Composer

:

James MacMillan

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

6:44

"Seinte Mari moder milde" is a choral work composed by James MacMillan in 2003. It was premiered on December 6, 2003, by the choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, under the direction of Christopher Robinson. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "Ave Maria," is a setting of the traditional Latin prayer to the Virgin Mary. The second movement, "Magnificat," is a setting of the canticle of Mary from the Gospel of Luke. The third movement, "Nunc Dimittis," is a setting of the canticle of Simeon from the Gospel of Luke. MacMillan's setting of the "Ave Maria" is characterized by its use of dissonance and complex harmonies. The choir sings in unison for much of the movement, with occasional moments of polyphony. The "Magnificat" is a more complex and varied movement, with sections of homophony and polyphony. The choir sings the text in both English and Latin, with the Latin text set to a more traditional choral style. The "Nunc Dimittis" is a more subdued movement, with a simple melody and sparse harmonies. Overall, "Seinte Mari moder milde" is a powerful and moving work that showcases MacMillan's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of complex harmonies and dissonance, as well as its incorporation of both English and Latin texts. The work is a testament to MacMillan's ability to create music that is both modern and deeply rooted in tradition.

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