Composer

:

Donald Patriquin

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

4:45

"The Child of Mary" is a choral work composed by Canadian composer Donald Patriquin. The piece was composed in 1995 and premiered in the same year by the choir of St. Matthew's Anglican Church in Ottawa, Canada. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "The Angel Gabriel," is based on the traditional Basque carol "Birjina gaztettobat zegoen." The movement features a solo soprano voice and a choir, with the soprano singing the role of the angel Gabriel and the choir responding as Mary. The movement is characterized by its lively, dance-like rhythms and its use of traditional Basque melodies. The second movement, "The Child of Mary," is based on a text by the composer. The movement features a solo alto voice and a choir, with the alto singing the role of Mary and the choir responding as the angels. The movement is characterized by its gentle, flowing melodies and its use of lush harmonies. The third movement, "The Shepherds' Carol," is based on the traditional English carol "The First Nowell." The movement features a solo tenor voice and a choir, with the tenor singing the role of the shepherd and the choir responding as the angels. The movement is characterized by its pastoral, folk-like melodies and its use of simple harmonies. Overall, "The Child of Mary" is a beautiful and evocative choral work that showcases Patriquin's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of traditional melodies and harmonies, as well as its incorporation of original texts by the composer.

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