Composer

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Seth Bingham

Genre

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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6:07

'Annunciation' is a choral work composed by Seth Bingham, an American composer, organist, and choir director. The piece was composed in 1941 and premiered on December 7th of the same year at the Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text related to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The first movement, titled "Ave Maria," is a setting of the traditional Latin prayer. The second movement, "The Annunciation," is based on the Gospel of Luke and features a solo soprano singing the role of the Angel Gabriel. The third movement, "Magnificat," is a setting of the canticle of Mary, also known as the Song of Mary. Bingham's 'Annunciation' is characterized by its lush harmonies, soaring melodies, and intricate choral textures. The work is scored for mixed choir, solo soprano, and organ, and features a variety of vocal techniques, including chant-like recitation, polyphonic counterpoint, and homophonic hymnody. The first movement, "Ave Maria," begins with a simple organ introduction before the choir enters with a unison chant of the prayer. The harmonies gradually become more complex as the choir repeats the prayer, building to a climactic final chord. The second movement, "The Annunciation," features a solo soprano singing the role of the Angel Gabriel, who announces to Mary that she will bear a son. The choir responds with a series of chords that underscore the significance of the moment. The movement ends with a soaring soprano solo that expresses Mary's acceptance of the news. The final movement, "Magnificat," is a setting of the canticle of Mary, which she sings after visiting her cousin Elizabeth. The movement begins with a solo soprano singing the opening lines, which are then taken up by the choir. The harmonies are rich and complex, with the choir often divided into multiple parts. The movement ends with a triumphant final chord that celebrates the birth of Christ. Overall, Bingham's 'Annunciation' is a powerful and moving work that captures the wonder and awe of the Christmas story. Its lush harmonies and soaring melodies make it a favorite of choirs and audiences alike.

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