Phos Hilaron (O Serene Light)

A setting of a modern translation of the traditional Greek evening hymn Phos Hilaron that I wrote in 1998, in my rarely-used "contemporary" style - scored for SSAATTBB Chorus a cappella.

The choral writing was inspired by Sergei Rachmaninoff's (1873-1943) immortal All-Night Vigil (Vespers) of 1915.

Phos Hilaron (O Serene Light)

Very cool! I particularly liked the harmonic effects and shifts on the second page. Have to run off to a meeting soon, but I definitely want to take another look at this later.Lovely work! Write more like this

Very nice work indeed. It's tastefull and "reserved", yet has some gorgeous modulating starting on the second page. I really encourage you to explore your "modern" writing if you're muse leads you to this sound. It's really quite something!

Best wishes

I really enjoyed this piece. Coming from someone who is constitutionally unable to write in anything other that a "contemporary style", I'd offer congratulations on a beautiful and meditative piece.

If I had to offer criticism, it would be that occasionally the textual emphasis is a tad suboptimal-- the most obvious example is "Gi-ver of life" on the 3rd page-- it is spoken GI-ver, not gi-VER, as you've written it. Having said that, I suspect a good choir could erase that minor criticism by simply emphasizing the correct syllable.

Overall though, my biggest desire is to hear a live version of this. It seems like it would be ecstatically beautiful and moving.

Bravo!

I agree with cschweitzer here. Some minor text details bother me a tiny bit, but overall I really like this piece! I don't know how to say it in english, so this may sound really weird or stupid, but I think this style suits you very much. Have you considered writing more in this style? Congratulations on a very nice piece of music!

I consider writing in this style all the time, and I do write this way as often as I have ideas like this. Unfortunately, it isn't very often, and I don't believe in forcing myself to write something that does not come from a natural impulse. That would be artificial, and therefore not musical.

I can write this kind of stuff all day and night. It's who I am authentically.

I really enjoyed the sound of this piece. It flows well and has great harmonic texture. The issue of the improper sylabolic emphasis can be fixed easy enough with a few tenudo markings or temporary changes in time signature. My biggest concern is actually the staffing. Most of the piece is really only 4 parts as the 1 and 2 voices simply mirror each other. It should be SATB divisi with 2 layers on the same staff in places where parts split. It will make it a lot easier to read and analyze. 8 staves should really only be used when you have 8 distinct polyphonic parts or true 8 part harmony (very little doubling) with extensive 12-16 part splits.

I agree with you Pianoman, and I think I'll implement that change.

You always make me nervous when you say that, Chris. ;) I'll see what I can do. I'm moving to Kansas, so I'm a little busy at the moment.