Conditor Alme Siderum
Beautiful in simplicity, this chant tune with a 9th century text is sung in Latin and/or English with only a handbell accompaniment. Thirteen bells ranging from Ab 4 to Ab6, all scored in the treble clef, offer open 4ths, 5ths and 6ths to accentuate gently the text which begins: "Creator of the stars of night, Your people's everlasting light." The meter shifts to between 5/4, 2/4 and 3/4 to accommodate the chant's unmeasured feel.