My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

Jeremy S. Bakken has broken new ground with this durable hymn text based on John Stainer's tune MAGDELAN. The opening stanza is presented in unison voices, with the ensuing sections moving through varying vocal textures and the compelling use of overlapped phrases. The piano accompaniment features ostinato-like figures and extended diatonic harmonies which provide a compelling sense of strength, all leading at the close to a simple restatement in the altos of the text's central theme: "My hope is built."