Composer

:

Thomas Attwood Walmisley

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Magnificat

Compose Date

:

1843

Thomas Attwood Walmisley was an English composer and organist who lived from 1814 to 1856. He was a child prodigy and studied under some of the most prominent musicians of his time, including Felix Mendelssohn. Walmisley's most famous work is his Full Service in D major, which was composed in 1844. The Full Service in D major is a choral work that was written for the Anglican Church. It is a setting of the Morning Prayer service, which is a traditional part of the Anglican liturgy. The work is divided into several movements, each of which corresponds to a different part of the service. The first movement is the Introit, which is a short choral piece that is sung as the choir enters the church. This is followed by the Venite, which is a psalm that is recited or sung at the beginning of the service. The third movement is the Te Deum, which is a hymn of praise that is sung during the service. The fourth movement is the Jubilate, which is another psalm that is sung during the service. The fifth movement is the Benedictus, which is a hymn of praise that is sung during the Eucharist. The sixth movement is the Sanctus, which is another hymn of praise that is sung during the Eucharist. The seventh movement is the Agnus Dei, which is a prayer that is recited during the Eucharist. The final movement is the Nunc Dimittis, which is a canticle that is sung at the end of the service. The Full Service in D major is characterized by its beautiful choral writing and its use of traditional Anglican hymns and psalms. Walmisley's use of harmony and counterpoint is particularly noteworthy, and his work is considered to be one of the finest examples of Anglican choral music. The Full Service in D major premiered in 1844 and has since become a staple of the Anglican liturgy.

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