Composer

:

Rodion Shchedrin

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata: Choral

Compose Date

:

1988

Average_duration

:

62:41

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

"Sealed Angel" is a choral work composed by Rodion Shchedrin in 1988. It premiered on December 25, 1988, in Moscow, Russia, performed by the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir under the direction of Valery Polyansky. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a text from the Russian Orthodox liturgy. The first movement, "Bless the Lord, O My Soul," is a setting of Psalm 103 and features a solo soprano voice accompanied by the choir. The second movement, "Cherubic Hymn," is a traditional hymn sung during the liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Shchedrin's setting is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms. The third movement, "The Creed," is a setting of the Nicene Creed, a statement of Christian faith. Shchedrin's setting is notable for its use of a solo bass voice to recite the text of the creed, while the choir provides a rich harmonic background. The final movement, "Our Father," is a setting of the Lord's Prayer. It begins with a solo soprano voice, which is gradually joined by the choir in a complex and intricate polyphonic texture. Overall, "Sealed Angel" is characterized by its use of complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and rich choral textures. Shchedrin's setting of traditional liturgical texts is both reverent and innovative, blending the ancient traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church with modern compositional techniques. The piece has become a staple of the choral repertoire and is widely regarded as one of Shchedrin's most significant works.

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