James MacMillan O Bone Jesu

With this review, we go back to classical and the wonderful choir motet Bone Jesu. This motet is certainly one of the most colorful ones that this reviewer has ever heard. The sample hearing starts off with this bright A major chord. The chord is sparkling in and of itself, but then the texture moves to a more widely branched out chord structure where the intervals in thirds are doubled. This is where the harmonies are the most luscious. Potently, the music starts off with a solo tenor singing notes around a C and joined by choir on different colorful chords that are to reflect the boldness and beauty  of our savior, The Lord Jesus Christ. It sounds as if there are 2 choirs performing this work in tandem with one another. Each register of the choir gets a chance to solo followed by the whole chorus going “Jesu.” There is even a section where the harmonic structure is at a fairly dissonant juncture where no one knows where it’s going to end up. This piece is from the Roman Catholic Liturgy and some other sacred texts. It is off the album of his music entitled Miserere. It’s definitely worth a listen if you have the time. Be blessed and have your ears beautified.