Exsultet (Praeconium Paschale)

Instrumentation

ssa, tpt, tbn, pno

Year

2015

Duration

5:30

Composed

10/22/2014 - 7/24/2015

Dedication

Francisco Nunez

Commission

Young Peoples' Chorus of New York City

My EXSULTET uses the ancient chant to which the Easter Proclamation is declaimed, normally by a deacon at the start of the Great  Vigil of Easter.  The chant dates from somewhere between the fourth and seventh centuries and consists of formulaic repetitions of simple phrases.  I have elaborated these phrases canonically, melodically, and harmonically into a three-part vocal fabric, accompanied by obbligato instruments.  The full text of the original goes on for quite some time.  My choral-instrumental version is much shorter.

CW