Composer

:

John Tavener

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chorus

Compose Date

:

1992

Average_duration

:

5:38

"Annunciation" is a choral work composed by John Tavener in 1994. It was premiered on December 8, 1994, at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England, by the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral, conducted by John Scott. The piece is divided into three movements and is approximately 15 minutes in length. The first movement, "The Annunciation," begins with a solo soprano voice singing the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee." The choir then enters, singing a repetitive, chant-like melody that builds in intensity as the angel's message is delivered. The movement ends with a quiet, contemplative section as Mary reflects on the news she has just received. The second movement, "The Salutation," is a duet between the soprano soloist and a tenor soloist. The two voices intertwine as they sing the words of Mary and Elizabeth, who greet each other in the Bible after Mary has traveled to visit her cousin. The music is gentle and flowing, with a sense of reverence and awe. The final movement, "The Magnificat," is a setting of Mary's song of praise from the Gospel of Luke. The choir sings the words in a joyful, celebratory manner, with the music building to a powerful climax. The movement ends with a quiet, reflective section as Mary contemplates the greatness of God. Overall, "Annunciation" is a deeply spiritual work that reflects Tavener's interest in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and his belief in the power of music to convey spiritual truths. The music is simple and repetitive, with a sense of timelessness that reflects the eternal nature of the story it tells. The use of solo voices and chant-like melodies gives the piece a sense of intimacy and reverence, while the joyful final movement celebrates the miracle of the Incarnation.

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