Four Motets and a Chorale from the Passio Domini Nostri Jesu Christi secundum Johannem

Easily the most difficult music of this lot is Randall Giles’s stunning Four Motets and a Chorale. Quia id quod accidit and Vinea mea electa are unaccompanied pieces of uncompromising dissonance and difficulty; Attolite portas and Christus factus est are accompanied works with triadic harmony. In the former, the energy of the counterpoint gives off a glistening intensity, whereas in the latter unrelated major and minor chords are juxtaposed like primary colors to create sensuous vibrancy of a Gustav Klimt canvas. The original accompaniment of these movements is for organ and brass sextet, which may be rented from Paraclete Press. Mr. Giles was kind enought to submit the chorale, Crux fidelis, it’s a beauty, and it’s a keeper!
AAM Journal