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Vexilla Regis Prodeunt (1994) |
organ - 10'
Vexilla Regis Prodeunt is a processional hymn with words and, possibly, the melody usually sung to them by the sixth-century Bishop of Poitiers Venantius Fortunatus; traditionally it has been sung at Vespers in Passiontide, from the Fifth Sunday in Lent to the Thursday before Easter. Naji Hakim describes his work as a symphonic paraphrase on the poem and its melody. The music evolves continuously, but is based on the structure of the poem, and Hakim says that its passionate character serves what he calls the dramatic nature of the text. The music also draws on the hymn, 'Vive Jesus, vive sa croix', which is sung in France on Palm Sunday. Vexilla Regis Prodeunt was commissioned by Leo Abbott, director of music and organist at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, Massachussets, who first performed it in July 1995 in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.
© Adrian Jack