Three Christmas Motets

The composer wrote of his work as follows: The text of the three motets takes three motifs from the story of the birth of Jesus: (1) the joy of the Magi at seeing the Star, (2) Mary s cradle song as she rocks the Baby, and (3) the choir of Angels praising the joyful news in song. The movements may also be performed singly, but it is best for them to be heard together as a cycle. Their style and tonal system are marked by modulating modality .