An ancient melody unfolds above long-held pedal tones, and conveys the
otherworldly sense of calm and conviction of the gregorian chant upon
which the work is based.
The work is divided into four verses, performed without a break, corresponding to the four sections of the original chant and was written in the spirit of the plainsong settings for organ of the 17th Century German composer, Samuel Scheidt.
"The entire piece is to be performed very freely, very softly, and very smoothly," the composer directs.