Darren Schmidt: Diabelli-Contest 2016

This setting is simultaneously archaic and contemporary; the combination of chant sonorities with modern elements of harmony create an innovative piece which still pays respect to choral composers of the past. The use of dynamics, texture, and melody combine to create a dramatic experience which pays tribute to the awesome power of God.

Additionally, the music is intentionally written to personify different imagery from the text. For example, “heaven” is illustrated by a beautiful high, floating texture (p. 4), the rocking waves of the “sea” are embodied by the chordal movement hovering around E minor (p. 6), and a tenor drone imitates the void before creation.

The piece opens with unison chant (based loosely on a mixolydian scale) which quickly splits into 2 parts in an organum-like fashion. Repeated text and melodic figures are presented in expanded form using all the voices, both in homophony and over sustaining voices. The texture is reduced to a tenor drone, upon which other voices build, gradually broadening to the climax of the piece.

Listen to the original WAV file here: https://soundcloud.com/darren-p-schmidt/wessobrunn-prayer

(small notes are optional depending on singer ability)