Matin Responsory / Vesper Responsory

Centered on G, but utilizing quartal and quintal harmonies that evoke parallel organum - the music of the era of the early medieval Roman rite, when the text was written - this challenging Responsory for Advent is scored for handbells (G, A, D) and divisi SATB chorus. There is a call-and-response texture between the cantor (or unison men) and the choir. Open sonorities at cadences and parallel voice leading further the link with ancient musical practice, all while maintaining a distinctly modern harmonic language.