• Premiere: Grace Episcopal Church / Newton, MA / Dr. Linda Clark

• Instrumentation: SATB and organ

• Duration: 3:00'

• Text: Reginald Heber (1783 - 1826)

• Suitable for choirs of all levels

• Appropriate for worship or performance

 

Program Note

Completed in 2007 in Newton, Massachusetts, this piece was originally written as part of the song cycle, Southern Harmony Songs, volume one, for low voice and piano. Three of these songs -Holy Manna, Star in the East, and Wondrous Love - were adapted as choral motets.  All three were premiered at Grace Church, Newton.  This particular motet utilizes a flowing accompaniment reminiscent of the English choral tradition.  This accompaniment is extrapolated into a flowing choral verse that implies the hymn tune, but doesn't state it explicitly. The effect is an engaging and useful motet for choirs of all levels.