O Splendor of God's Glory Bright

Highlights

• rhythmic, a cappella anthem
• text by Saint Ambrose of Milan
• based on Sarum plainsong

Description

John Reese, from Austin, Texas, has composed an energetic anthem on a translated text of Saint Ambrose of Milan, himself quite a poet and musician! Mr. Reese's piece uses a driving 3+3+2 rhythm in the lower three voices to accompany the soprano outline of the Sarum plainsong "Splendor paternae gloriae."

The juxtaposition of syncopated accompaniment rhythm and strict quarter and half note motion in the cantus firmus make this octavo fun for the choir to sing and enjoyable for the congregation to hear.

Its text makes this anthem particularly suited for those Masses with "light" as a theme - as might be found during the first few Sundays of Ordinary Time in winter. "O splendor of God's Glory bright, O thou that bringest light from light, O Light of Light, light's living spring, O Day, all days illumining."