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Alleluia (Thompson)

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description Alleluia (Thompson) Overview

Alleluia is an unaccompanied choral work written by American composer Randall Thompson in 1940 for the opening of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. Rather than adopting a jubilant character, it treats the single word "Alleluia" in a restrained, contemplative setting for mixed voices. Its sustained lines, rich tonal harmony, and gradual dynamic development have made it a widely performed work in American concert and sacred choral repertories.

help Alleluia (Thompson) FAQ

Why is Randall Thompson's "Alleluia" so slow and melancholy?

Despite the joyful meaning of the word "alleluia," Thompson composed the piece in a restrained, contemplative manner because it was written in 1940 as Europe was falling to the Axis powers during World War II. Serge Koussevitzky had commissioned him to write a joyful piece for the opening of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. The weight of current global events shifted the composition's tone to one of quiet sorrow and prayer.

What are the lyrics to Thompson's "Alleluia"?

The entire piece consists of only the single word "Alleluia" repeated in various ways by the choir. There are no other lyrics, allowing the mixed choir to explore the text's emotional depth purely through harmonic shifts. The word is stretched, layered, and manipulated across the vocal parts.

What type of choir is required to perform "Alleluia" by Randall Thompson?

The work is written for an unaccompanied mixed choir, typically utilizing a four-part vocal texture. Because of its rich harmonies, exposed vocal entries, and sustained phrasing, it requires singers with strong breath control and blend. It is a staple of collegiate and professional choral repertoires.

What event was Randall Thompson's "Alleluia" written for?

It was commissioned specifically for the opening of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood in the summer of 1940. Tanglewood serves as the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and remains a prestigious center for musical education. Thompson himself was the center's first director of the choral division.

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