Composer

:

Philip Stopford

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2003

Average_duration

:

5:08

'Love Divine' is a choral work composed by Philip Stopford, a British composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 2008 and premiered in the same year. It is a four-movement work that is characterized by its use of rich harmonies, lyrical melodies, and expressive dynamics. The first movement, titled "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," is a setting of the well-known hymn text by Charles Wesley. The music is gentle and flowing, with a simple melody that is supported by lush harmonies. The choir sings the text in unison, creating a sense of unity and community. The second movement, "O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High," is a setting of a medieval Latin hymn. The music is more complex than the first movement, with intricate harmonies and a more varied melody. The choir sings the text in a call-and-response style, with the different sections of the choir echoing each other. The third movement, "Love's Redeeming Work is Done," is a setting of a text by Charles Wesley. The music is more dramatic than the previous movements, with powerful chords and soaring melodies. The choir sings the text in harmony, creating a sense of triumph and celebration. The final movement, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Reprise)," is a reprise of the first movement. The music is similar to the opening movement, but with some variations in the melody and harmonies. The choir sings the text in harmony, bringing the work to a peaceful and satisfying conclusion. Overall, 'Love Divine' is a beautiful and expressive choral work that showcases Philip Stopford's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of rich harmonies, lyrical melodies, and expressive dynamics, and is sure to be a favorite of choirs and audiences alike.

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