Reflection on Seven Last Words from the Cross and the Choral Music

Chorus Reflection
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Seven Last Words from the Cross-James MacMillanThis is considered one of the finest works by MacMillan as the composition provides an absorbing and moving experience in concert for the performance and the audience. The work is based on Christ’s final words on the cross and meditation of each word from a dramatic and emotional approach. The vocals and instrumentation draw inspiration from Lutheran baroque techniques in the chorus and the string orchestra techniques from British and Polish 20th-century traditions. The text itself is a compilation of the seven last words from the cross-referenced from the four gospels. It was therefore commissioned by the BBC in 1993 to show the progression of Christ’s final seven words on the cross during the 1994 Holly week.
The choral work was highly regarded due to the ability of MacMillan to utilize the traditional forms and to incorporate modern motifs and elements in his compositions. His composition is also heavily driven by faith therefore it is impossible not to be moved by the performances. One of the powerful techniques he used in the performance was silence. This technique is as powerful as a well-composed orchestra and most importantly, it gives the performance time to catch their breath and the audience to reflect on the choral piece. The vocals are accompanied by well-written strings that draw inspiration from string compositions from the 20th century, in particular, Tippett’s Concerto for Double String Orchestra.
The performance is what brings this beautiful creation to life to ensure that the audience experiences Christ’s last words on the cross. Everything is perfect for the final detail for instance at the end of the orchestral postlude, there is a final sigh from the violins which coincides with the last dying breath of Christ. This work is one of the best choral work that aspiring composers can analyze and learn from. CITATION Car12 \l 1033 (Olson, 2012)
Ethnic & Multicultural Perspectives: Multicultural Choral Music: Composers And Arrangers Share The Process
Choral music is powerful as it encompasses the spirit of togetherness in creating a beautiful sound. The composition of the songs allows choirs to perform with ease utilizing the talents of each member. This type of music dates back to the medieval era and it has picked a lot of cultural inspiration along the way. This has led to it being incorporated into today’s Western European tonal system and other forms of popular culture. As the world is becoming more diverse, educators are finding the need to introduce different forms of music and cultures to the student’s curricula. This is because exposing students to other forms of music broadens their musical and cultural understanding making them more open-minded which is essential for an artist.
The diversity means that there are a lot of things to take into consideration and one is always left wondering, what are the so...