O Sacred Head Now Wounded

This Lenten hymn, which is also called the "Passion chorale", has been used to paint a plaintive, anguished contemplation of Christ's crucifiction. The work begins with a static, persistent ostinato pattern in the upper bells, contrasted with a statement of the melody in the bass that is echoed in the middle bells. The music then builds to a massive second statement of the theme, using large, vertical chords. The last section becomes a quiet echo of fragments of the first, ending with a hollow sound. While suitable as a reflection during Lent, the piece is most appropriate for a Maundy Thursday service. Also available from Cantabile Press (CP6107 ).