Canticle of Zachary

This three-verse canticle for SATB choir, based on Luke 1 and liturgically used most often as the Gospel canticle for Morning Prayer, may also be an effective hymn during the Easter season. Its harmonically straightforward A section in G major is balanced by a modally-derived B section that begins on the flat submediant (E-flat major), a harmonic twist that gives an otherwise traditionally formed hymn a more modern aspect.