Almighty God, which by the leading of a star

John Bull's Almighty God, which by the leading of a star is a substantial setting of a prayer from the liturgical tradition. Its text, suitable for Epiphany, petitions for heavenly vision after earthly faith, concluding with a plea for the fruition of Godhead. The anthem is scored for a large choir in SSAATB, with a separate AATTBB choir, suggesting performance with contrasting vocal forces, perhaps for spatial effects or heightened dramatic impact. The intricate vocal divisions hint at the polyphonic complexity characteristic of English sacred music from the late Renaissance or early Baroque period, demanding skilled singers and a sensitive interpretation of the devotional text.