About the piece
A Christmas motet in four voices in Latin, contemplating the mystery of the animals before the newborn in the manger. The edition has 74 measures.
How to prepare it
This is an intermediate-to-advanced work of great beauty. The ranges are manageable (sopranos D4–D5 (an octave), altos F3–A4 (a major tenth), tenors C3–E♭4 (a minor tenth) and basses F2–A3 (a major tenth)), and the challenge is legato control and the blend of the voices at a calm tempo. Rehearse each voice separately and then in pairs, and work on the final “Alleluia”: it should have a livelier movement and feel like a burst of contained joy.
When to use it
A piece for Christmas, especially suitable for communion and adoration.