11. Simeon's hymn (Nunc dimittis)

A cappella version: Score(PDF)     MIDI (13 KB)     MP3 (3 MB)     Sibelius4 (42 KB)     MusicXML (514 KB)

Version with organ: Score(PDF)     MIDI (20 KB)     MP3 (4 MB)     Sibelius4 (51 KB)     MusicXML (935 KB)

Dedication: To Johannes Ockeghem.

Text: Luke 2:29-32 in English (King James version), followed by minor doxology in Latin.

Musicians: SATB chorus, occasionally divisi, with short S descant. Optional organ accompaniment. (Separate organ part follows score in the .pdf file.)

Length: 4 minutes.

Style: Renaissance forms, with gentle pandiatonic harmony and smooth modulations.

Program notes: A companion piece to “Mary’s hymn (Magnificat),” with parallel structure but different melodies. The initial theme introduced by the basses is echoed one bar later by the tenors (canon at the 6^th) and also by the altos and sopranos at 1/2 speed and 1/3 speed, respectively (prolation canon). The middle section uses free imitative polyphony and familiar style. The ending doxology repeats the initial canon under Gregorian tone VIIIG.

Performance suggestions: Variations of dynamic are not marked in the score (or used in the MP3 & MIDI files); they are at the discretion of performers. If the organ is used, it may begin at either bar 1 or bar 16/rehearsal A.