O Jerusalem!

The composer wrote the poetry of this dramatic and stirring anthem while visiting the Holy Land. The text reflects on Jerusalem's role in the Passion story and musically captures the emotion with intense and colorful text painting. Written in four sections: Palm Sunday, the Upper Room, Gethsemane, and Golgotha; each section ends with the phrase, "O Jerusalem... city of our salvation." While the score is more advanced with dissonant and chromatic writing, the recurring motifs and refrains will aid the learning process. Consider singing each section as a response to the corresponding Bible verses as the Passion narrative is read. Very effective.