Prince of Life: An Anthem Cycle for Christian Year

Abstract

Prince of Life: An Anthem Cycle for the Christian Year is a work for soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists, congregational hymns, mixed chorus, piano, and organ. The purpose of this work is to retell the story of God's redemption to Christian believers in local church worship through hymns and music.

This work consists of two cycles: "Cycle of Light" and "Cycle of Life." "The Cycle of Light" consists of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, and Jesus' Teaching. It tells the story of Jesus as the Light as He incarnates into human form to save the world, whereas the "Cycle of Life" includes Lent, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Passiontide, Eastertide, Ascensiontide, and Trinity. They tell the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who gave His life to the world, so that the world might gain life.

The music is written in functional harmony; however, there are cluster chords, dissonant harmonic intervals, and unconventional vocal leaps. There are symmetrical and asymmetrical musical phrases. Musical forms are mostly structured in modified strophic.