Composer

:

James MacMillan

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Average_duration

:

3:10

'Mitte manum tuam' is a choral work composed by James MacMillan in 2012. The piece was premiered on October 7, 2012, at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England, by the St. Paul's Cathedral Choir, directed by Andrew Carwood. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "Mitte manum tuam," is a setting of Psalm 144:15, which translates to "Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord." The second movement, "O Radiant Dawn," is a setting of a text from the Book of Isaiah, which speaks of the coming of the Messiah. The final movement, "The Strathclyde Motets," is a setting of three Latin texts, "Data est mihi," "Factus est repente," and "O Radiant Dawn." MacMillan's use of harmony and dissonance is a defining characteristic of the work. The first movement features a hauntingly beautiful melody that is accompanied by rich harmonies, while the second movement is more upbeat and joyful, with a driving rhythm and soaring melodies. The final movement is a tour de force of choral writing, with intricate counterpoint and complex harmonies. Overall, 'Mitte manum tuam' is a powerful and moving work that showcases MacMillan's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Its premiere at St. Paul's Cathedral was a fitting setting for a work that is both deeply spiritual and musically stunning.

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