Composer

:

James MacMillan

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

3:47

The Canticle of Zachariah is a choral work composed by James MacMillan in 2001. It was premiered on December 16, 2001, by the Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, conducted by Christopher Robinson. The work is divided into three movements, each of which sets a different section of the Canticle of Zachariah, a biblical text from the Gospel of Luke. The first movement, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel," is a joyful and exuberant setting of the opening lines of the canticle. The second movement, "And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High," is a more contemplative and introspective setting of the middle section of the canticle. The final movement, "To give light to those who sit in darkness," is a triumphant and celebratory setting of the closing lines of the canticle. MacMillan's setting of the Canticle of Zachariah is characterized by its use of rich harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive melodic lines. The work is scored for SATB choir, with occasional divisi in the soprano and tenor parts. The choir is accompanied by a small ensemble of brass, percussion, and organ, which provides a colorful and dynamic backdrop for the choral writing. Overall, the Canticle of Zachariah is a powerful and moving work that showcases MacMillan's skill as a composer of choral music. Its combination of traditional choral techniques with modern harmonies and instrumentation makes it a unique and compelling addition to the choral repertoire.

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