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Alleluia

There Was a Time inside music_edited.jpg

for SATB a cappella Chorus

Text by Saint Augustine
Elaine Hagenberg Music - EH1007

Description

This joyous and rhythmic a cappella setting of St. Augustine's text in a buoyant 7/8 meter is brimming with vitality and energy. The contrasting middle section offers expansive lines and lush harmonies which propel the music into exciting key changes and a climactic ending. A wonderful opening selection for more advanced mixed choirs!


the Inspiration

Text

All shall be Amen and Alleluia. We shall rest and we shall see. We shall see and we shall know. We shall know and we shall love. Behold our end which is no end. -Saint Augustine

Composer Notes

This Alleluia originates from a beautiful text by St. Augustine. One evening in summer, I gathered this poem and a manuscript notebook, then visited our local rose gardens at dusk to sketch all the ways I could sing the word "Alleluia." A simple A B A form seemed to work, with the Alleluias creating the A sections, and the remaining text to create a contrasting B section. As the sunset filtered through the trees, I envisioned the light and beauty of eternity with expansive lines and lush harmonies propelling the music into exciting key changes and a climactic ending.
“All shall be Amen and Alleluia...”

- Saint Augustine

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