Alma coelestium

This setting of Alma coelestium is for SATB choir singing in Latin. The music moves with a flowing, hymnal quality, the four voices often entering in imitation or weaving together in homophonic textures. The anonymous composer crafts a devotional atmosphere, reflecting the text's address to Mary as the Mother of all, the Hope of penitents, and the Queen of heaven. The choir is invited to join the angels and archangels in eternal song, a plea for salvation from exile. The setting builds to a powerful conclusion, with the voices singing with ever-increasing numbers, echoing the imagery of leaves on trees and grass in fields.