The Choral Portal

Music has been a part of every culture, social movement, national tradition and faith practice. Choral music, in particular, can bring to the routine of daily life an uplifting sense of hope and satisfaction, bringing people together under the universal language of harmony. It is unique, in that voices together sing of non-tangible things. They sing of such feelings as love, hate, God, creation, death, beauty, yearning, joy. By bringing people together, fostering understanding and promoting peace, choral music has the potential to be a transformative experience for the singers as well as the listeners.

The respected English composer John Rutter wrote in 2015 that “choral music is not one of life’s frills. It’s something that goes to the very heart of our humanity, our sense of community, and our souls.” 

One of my memories of the beloved annual LMU Gala Christmas Concert was how many audience members would comment that they always looked forward to this concert. For them the performance opened their holiday season.

To start this short perusal of some inviting choral selections, there are some Christmas settings that imbue this spirit of holiday joy for any listener, new or veteran.

“What Sweeter Music?” by John Rutter

John Rutter wrote “What Sweeter Music?” for the choir of King’s College, Cambridge for performance during the college’s annual Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Set in a very traditional style that is both accessible and moving, the work portrays the words of Robert Herrick in which all creation awakens with wonder to “give honour to this day that sees December turned to May.”

“O magnum mysterium” by Tomás Luis de Victoria

“O magnum mysterium” by Morten Lauridsen

Two transcendent settings of the great mystery of Christmas, with quiet contemplation of the mysterious atmosphere surrounding the birth of the Lord, are equally moving. Written over 420 years apart are the “Omagnum mysterium” of Tomás Luis de Victoria (1572) and Morten Lauridsen (1994). Both portray a unique sense of quiet contemplation and profound inner joy — Victoria’s piece with quietly woven polyphonic lines occasionally interspersed with hushed chordal statements, and Lauridsen’s with roots of the flavor of Gregorian chant juxtaposed with ethereal harmonies climaxing in magnificent cluster chords.

“Shenandoah,” arrangement by James Erb

Moving into the realm of the American folksong, it is no surprise to find numerous choral arrangements of these simple melodies linked with simple and heartfelt human stories. Much loved and hauntingly beautiful, James Erb’s arrangement of “Shenandoah” portrays the homesickness of a Virginia settler transplanted west of the Missouri River. The lapping of the river current is stunningly set in the rolling imitative vocal patterns.

“Unclouded Day,” arrangement by Shawn Kirchner

One’s yearning for joy is reflected in Shawn Kirchner’s bluegrass-tinged arrangement of the revival hymn “Unclouded Day” set to the words of the itinerant Midwest preacher Josiah K. Atwood. Despite the trials of life’s journey, the weary traveler longs to see a land of cloudless day, an unclouded sky, a home where no storm clouds rise and finally to reach the city that is made of gold. 

“Sing Gently” by Eric Whitacre

In many cases, specific musical works have been written to celebrate a specific occasion. In 2020 the world went into a general lockdown due to the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. That international event brought a frightening silence to the choral community, with choirs attempting to communicate from the loneliness of distance singing. One project, Virtual Choir 6, brought singers together through the creative genius of composer Eric Whitacre.  Eric explained at the time, 

“For Virtual Choir 6, we continue the journey with a new piece I’ve written especially for the Virtual Choir during these challenging times, ‘Sing Gently.’  It’s amazing to think that the Virtual Choir started as a simple experiment some 10 years ago. We have all known its special purpose over that decade — joining people from around the world through music — and it has brought us particular comfort this year.”  

The premiere of “Sing Gently” took place on July 19, 2020, featuring 17,572 singers from 129 countries. The youngest singer was 5 and the oldest was 88. Voices truly joining together!

“O Fortuna” by Carl Orff

The selections mentioned thus far reveal a certain simplicity in structure — perhaps music in its purest form — either unaccompanied or simply with piano accompaniment. Many of the great choral masterworks are lengthy orchestral-choral works, often comprising several movements. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven Brahms, Verdi, Fauré, Orff, Rutter and Lauridsen have written such works. Sometimes a single movement will become a universal favorite and is able to effectively thrill the listener as a stand-alone piece. The best-known section from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” for example, is “O Fortuna” (“Oh Fortune”), which serves as both prologue and epilogue to the full work. It portrays the medieval image of a wheel of fortune that deals out triumph and disaster at random. Marked by full volume in the orchestra and chorus, repeated melodies, rich harmonies and driving rhythmic percussion all produce a visceral character. The forceful opening measures are among the grandest statements in all choral literature.

“Ave verum corpus” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Moving from massive back to simplicity, a return to a sacred text finds a work that although written in 1791 continues to frequently find its place today both in great cathedrals as well as concert halls. Toward the end of his life, Mozart wrote one of the most simple and perfect works of his extraordinary career, a setting of the Eucharistic hymn “Ave verum corpus.” Found on a piece of paper in among sheets that he was using to write his opera “Die Zauberflöte” (“The Magic Flute”), the piece, for chorus with strings and organ, is only 46 measures long. In less than three minutes and with very few notes, Mozart touches on an emotional depth that stands alone.

Yes, choral music has something for everyone. Perhaps by taking simple steps of listening will draw the reader into this wonderful world of multi-colored beauty. The chorus performing in front of you has been moved by their experience with the artform. Hopefully you will sense some of the same wonder vicariously. Perhaps, your next step will be to join them on the risers for a first-hand experience.

Mary C. Breden is Professor Emerita of Music at LMU and was director of Choral Activities from 1992–2019. She recently established the Mary C. Breden Choral Scholarship to support students who are non-music majors but display musical talent and potential.