Schronen, Alwin Michael: Agnus Dei

Alwin Michael Schronen has long been known for his versatility and ability to compose works of varying degrees of difficulty. His setting of the Agnus Dei for eight-part mixed choir a cappella (SSAATTBB), which is more suitable for concert use despite the liturgical leaps in texture, represents a real, but extremely rewarding challenge for any concert choir. As it is bolero-like, this composition oozes completely split basses, therefore, providing an important, responsible foundation. The rest of the voices give this urgent, imploring character tonal repetitions, secondary parts, third-, fourth-, and fifths, as well as whispered or spoken passages to this extremely atmospheric piece of music. Eight parts, multiple key changes (F minor, F sharp minor, G minor) and the high note B'' in soprano 1, on which the longing for peace unloads, require an powerful and very intonationally-secure ensemble.