TRISAGION (2017)
TTBB choir
TTBB choir
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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.
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.
