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About the Score

Kira Zeeman Rugen roots her adaptation of "Silent Night" on the earliest version of the famous carol. The heart of the composition honors the original melody and harmony, which differs from the more familiar melodic tradition. The piece incorporates a vocal representation of accompanimental guitar figures, as singers mimic the pluck of the instrument. The text of the verses alternate between German and English, juxtaposing the original words against the standard English version. Each verse is encircled with a tonal conversation of plaintive chords which are then answered by a haunting soprano melody. Throughout the piece, Kira Rugen’s musical expression conveys a sense of longing and nostalgia, closing with the simplicity of the original carol through an angelic soprano duet which symbolizes the hope and love of the Christmas season.

"Silent Night, Stille Nacht" was commissioned in memory of Marie Matilda Dorothea for the Phoenix Chorale, Charles Bruffy conductor, and premiered on their 2016 program “A Chorale Christmas: Silent Night."

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