Ralph Vaughan Williams: Magnificat

Informatie

for contralto (mezzo-soprano) solo, female chorus, and flute and piano (or orchestra) This is an unusual setting of the well-known text. After an ethereal opening, a contralto/mezzo-soprano soloist sings the Magnificat text while the female chorus interpolates with other texts in praise of the Virgin Mary. The rhapsodic lines of the soloist contrast with the more reflective tone of the chorus, while a prominent solo flute part evokes the otherworldly in a manner reminiscent of Debussy. This setting is not for liturgical use. This version is accompanied by solo flute and piano.