Composer

:

Elisabeth Lutyens

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1966

Average_duration

:

7:45

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Elisabeth Lutyens' Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis is a choral work that was composed in 1960. It was premiered on 22nd November 1960 at St. John's College, Cambridge, by the choir of St. John's College, conducted by George Guest. The work is divided into two movements, the Magnificat and the Nunc Dimittis, which are based on the texts from the Gospel of Luke. The Magnificat is a hymn of praise that Mary sings after she is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she will give birth to Jesus. Lutyens' setting of the Magnificat is characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which create a sense of tension and unease. The choir sings in unison at the beginning of the movement, gradually building to a climax before subsiding into a more reflective section. The movement ends with a quiet, contemplative section that features a solo soprano. The Nunc Dimittis is a hymn of praise that Simeon sings when he sees the infant Jesus in the temple. Lutyens' setting of the Nunc Dimittis is more subdued than the Magnificat, with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The choir sings in unison at the beginning of the movement, gradually building to a climax before subsiding into a more reflective section. The movement ends with a quiet, contemplative section that features a solo bass. Overall, Lutyens' Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis is a challenging and complex work that showcases her mastery of modernist techniques. The work's use of dissonance and chromaticism creates a sense of tension and unease, while its reflective sections provide moments of contemplation and introspection. The work remains an important contribution to the choral repertoire and a testament to Lutyens' skill as a composer.

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