Entirely in Latin, the phrases of this a cappella setting of the traditional Marian hymn alternate between sections of freely sung chant and metered passages. The chant segments feature tenors and basses in unison, while tenors and altos (either alone or in some combination) sing the descant line. As if in a dialog with the sparser two-part texture of unmetered chant, the contrasting metrical sections respond with full SATB parts that feature both rich added-note chords and planing harmonies.
