Diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea, et super vestem meam miserunt sortem.
They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
Psalm 21:19 (Vulgate/Douay-Rheims)
Composed on Good Friday 2022. Free PDF (Creative Commons) is available at the bottom of this post.
Interpretation
In general, the piece should flow in a chant-like way with independent arsis and thesis in each part. The climax of the piece is at mm. 35 – 39, where there is an unexpected transition to the major chords in the scale.
The entrances should be a bit stronger here, and there should be an overall crescendo, especially leading into the final “vestem” in each part, with “ves” of “vestem” being strongest (except for the Bass, which climaxes at “me” of “meam”). I considered writing in the crescendos and decrescendos here, but the score became cluttered. Nevertheless, there is a certain natural crescendo as written due to the entrance of voices.
About the Featured Image
The featured image is the Crucifixion by Pietro della Francesca. It is in the public domain in the United States.
