Kim André Arnesen

Eja Mater

Adapted from a movement of Arnesen's Stabat Mater for upper voices and orchestra, Eja Mater is arranged for mixed voices with frequent divisi, obligato cello and harp (or piano). This part of the Stabat Mater is a prayer to the Mother of Christ, but Eja Mater is also a prayer for comfort to all parents who have lost their own child. As the Mother is called 'fountain of love' (fons amoris), the piece also expresses love from parents to their own children. With simple broken chords in the harp/piano underpinning most of the piece, a soothing and sustained choral texture accompanies the main melody introduced initially in the cello. This melody is passed between the voices and cello, but maintains its calm beauty, flavoured with an occasional sense of pleading and sorrow. Arnesen's characteristic rich harmonic language pervades, not least in the short a cappella sections. A deeply expressive work suitable for intermediate choirs.