Jacob Beranek Music
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TRISAGION (2017)
TTBB choir

  • Duration
    ​4 minutes
  • Premiere
    December 12, 2017
    Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University
    Nashville, Tennessee
  • Dedication
    to Carl F. Smith, who provided the impassioned inspiration, constant encouragement, keen suggestions, and valuable time that helped make this composition possible
    ​
Picture
click image for score sample
Purchase
digital download: $15.00
hard copy: $2.00/copy + shipping
PROGRAM NOTES

​Written as a synthesis of two cultures—the Western and Eastern Churches—this piece takes inspiration from elements of both traditions. The title, Trisagion, means “Thrice Holy” in Greek, and is the name of the standard Eastern Orthodox hymn from which this piece takes its lyrics. While the piece is sung in Greek (see translation below), the bridge between the Western and Eastern traditions can be found in the two different styles in which the lyrics are set. The first section is directly inspired by the free, meter-less chant typically found in the Eastern church, but there is a sudden shift when the lilting second section begins, in a Western church mode. The unifying element of the piece is a constant, fixed drone that is held throughout, passing from one voice to another constantly, allowing everyone to sing parts of the melody while still maintaining the drone. The first and second sections are repeated, and after growing more intense, the piece concludes with a resounding, eternal “Amen.”

—Jacob Beranek


TEXT

​Άγιος ο Θεός, Άγιος ισχυρός, Άγιος αθάνατος, ελέησον ημάς.
(Agios o Theos, Agios ischyros, Agios athanatos, eleison imas.)
​Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us.
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Picture
© Copyright 2019-2022 by Jacob Beranek Music. All rights reserved. | Photos by Margaret Butler.
  • Home
  • About
    • Long Bio
    • Short Bio
    • Artist Statement
    • In the News
    • Headshots
  • Works
    • Large Ensemble
    • Solo & Chamber
    • Vocal
  • Listen
  • Events
  • Connect