for SATB a cappella

by Arvo Part

Prt’s emotionally-charged Bogorditse Djvo, is a vibrant tribute to the Virgin Mary which is sung in the traditional Orthodox Church Slavic language and alludes to traditional Orthodox compositional practices. Occasionally, the piece could be taken for historical liturgical music. King’s College Choir, Cambridge, commissioned this work for the occasion of the festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve. (Per F. Broman 2004)

“Rejoice, O virgin Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is thee for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.”