Composer

:

Kenneth Leighton

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Compose Date

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1985

Average_duration

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11:43

Veni Redemptor: A Celebration, Op. 93 is a choral work composed by Kenneth Leighton in 1984. The piece was commissioned by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and was premiered by them on Christmas Day of the same year. The work is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "Veni Redemptor gentium," is a setting of a hymn by St. Ambrose. The second movement, "O magnum mysterium," is a setting of a text from the Matins of Christmas. The third movement, "A solis ortus cardine," is a setting of a hymn by Coelius Sedulius. The final movement, "Hodie Christus natus est," is a setting of the antiphon for Christmas Day. Leighton's Veni Redemptor: A Celebration is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and intricate counterpoint. The work is also notable for its use of dissonance, which is used to create tension and drama throughout the piece. The choral writing is demanding, with frequent changes in tempo and dynamics, and requires a high level of technical skill from the performers. Overall, Veni Redemptor: A Celebration is a powerful and moving work that captures the spirit of Christmas through its use of text and music. Its premiere by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, was a great success, and the piece has since become a popular addition to the choral repertoire.

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