A Motet for Easter

A Motet for Easter was the winning composition in a competition set by the Lord Mayor of Bristol to write a motet for Easter Sunday. It received its premiere in the Lord Mayor’s Chapel by the Chapel Singers in June 2015.

The music was written to words by lyricist Jennifer Henderson. These words describe the passing of winter into spring, and liken the pleasant new season to the rebirth of Jesus Christ. The music reflects both the exultant and pastoral tone of the words. The choral writing begins simply, with a brief soprano solo and a gradual build-up of the harmony. This technique of fading in or out each voice of the choir is used frequently to give the music rise and fall, and to add a sense of delicacy. The harmony is for the most part rooted in F major, but there are ocassional dissonances that create subtle tensions. However, these dissonances always resolve quickly to restore the joyous atmosphere.

The sections of the choir are often divided to create more complex, shifting textures. Each section is given a share of the melody as the piece progresses, and the parts regularly echo each other. The music has a simple ABABB structure, although there are rhythmic, harmonic and melodic variations within each section. The piece ends with another short soprano solo, creating parity with the solo at the beginning. The final bars end very gently, portraying the peaceful nature of the holy day.

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