Composer

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Stanley Vann

Style

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Magnificat

Average_duration

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2:59

"Nunc Dimittis" is a choral work composed by Stanley Vann, a British composer and organist. The piece was composed in 1979 and premiered in the same year. It is a setting of the Latin text of the Canticle of Simeon, which is traditionally sung at the end of the evening service of Compline in the Christian liturgy. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood and musical style. The first movement is marked "Andante con moto" and is in a minor key. It begins with a solo voice singing the first line of the text, "Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine" ("Now let your servant depart in peace, O Lord"). The choir then enters, singing in unison, before breaking into four-part harmony. The movement is characterized by its gentle, flowing melody and its use of suspensions and dissonances to create a sense of tension and release. The second movement is marked "Allegro moderato" and is in a major key. It begins with a lively, rhythmic section in which the choir sings the words "Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum" ("For my eyes have seen your salvation"). This section is followed by a slower, more contemplative section in which the choir sings the words "Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum" ("Which you have prepared before the face of all people"). The movement is characterized by its contrast between the lively, rhythmic sections and the more contemplative sections. The third and final movement is marked "Andante sostenuto" and is in a minor key. It begins with a solo voice singing the words "Lumen ad revelationem gentium" ("A light to lighten the Gentiles"). The choir then enters, singing in four-part harmony. The movement is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and its sense of quiet contemplation. Overall, "Nunc Dimittis" is a beautiful and contemplative choral work that showcases Vann's skill as a composer. Its use of contrasting moods and musical styles creates a sense of depth and complexity, while its rich harmonies and flowing melodies make it a joy to listen to.

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