Composer

:

Matthew Martin

Average_duration

:

3:13

'Adam lay ybounden' is a choral work composed by Matthew Martin, a British composer and organist, in 2004. The piece was premiered by the Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford, under the direction of Bill Ives, in the same year. The work is a setting of a medieval English text, which tells the story of Adam's fall from grace and the promise of redemption through the birth of Christ. The text is structured in three stanzas, each of which is set to a different musical theme. The first stanza is set to a slow and mournful melody, which reflects the despair and hopelessness of Adam's situation. The second stanza is more upbeat and joyful, as it celebrates the promise of redemption through the birth of Christ. The final stanza returns to the slow and mournful melody of the first, but with a sense of resolution and acceptance. The piece is scored for four-part choir, with occasional divisi, and is characterized by its rich harmonies and expressive use of dissonance. The use of suspensions and unresolved chords creates a sense of tension and release, which adds to the emotional impact of the work. Overall, 'Adam lay ybounden' is a powerful and moving choral work that captures the essence of the Christmas story in a unique and compelling way. Its combination of medieval text and modern musical language makes it a timeless addition to the choral repertoire.

More....