Wondrous Love

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

• Instrumentation: SAB and piano

• Duration: 2:30'

• Text: attributed to Alexander Means (1801-1883); Tune attributed to Christopher

• 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 develops in a canon. The voices trail the accompaniment by a measure in each successive verse, creating a simple counterpoint.