There have

been numerous choral Magnificats written from Bach's time to the present

day. "The Magnificat" is also known as the Canticle of the Blessed

Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46-55), in which Mary accepts the will of God to bear

his Son. Robert Twynham had conducted a number of Magnificats and decided

it was time to write his own setting. Robert, a distinguished graduate

in organ studies from the Peabody Conservatory, studied in France under

Olivier Messiaen, whose influence is obvious in many of Twynham's compositions.

Eileen Twynham,

herself an accomplished musician, drew ideas for her poetic themes from

the walls and windows of the inspirational "Lady Chapel" at

the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, where Marian images abound.

She researched the world's religions and found an astounding similarity

in the symbology of revered holy women.

Symbolic names,

such as Mystical Rose (Rosa Mystica) , Morning Star (Stella Matutina),

Refuge of Sinners (Refugium Peccatorum), Mirror of Justice (Speculum Justitiae)

and Ivory Tower (Turris Eburnea) title the first five movements of the

Twynham's "Magnificat." Eileen wrote poems in English, expanding

these metaphors on the basis of historical documents about Mary, the mother

of Jesus. These are juxtaposed with the Latin text of the Magnificat in

what is termed a macaronic text. The result is inspiring. Robert Twynham

set these five poems to music in such a manner that repetition allows

the first ­time listener to come away with a clear memory of the

piece. The sixth and final movement, Gloria Patri, is a joyous explosion

of organ and choral mastery that typically leads the audience to a standing

ovation.

"The Magnificat"

will be performed at the inaugural concert of the Atlanta Archdiocesan

Festival Choir at Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 8 p.m. on Saturday,

May 17. Holy Trinity has an acoustically desirable sanctuary that seats

850 and a capable 29-rank pipe organ, built by the A.G. Schleuter Pipe

Organ Company of Lithonia. The church is located at 101 Walt Banks Road,

at the corner of Walt Banks and Highway 54 in Peachtree City. A second

performance will be held Sunday evening, May 18 at 8 p.m. at

Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta. Tickets will be available at

the door. There is a suggested donation of $10 per ticket. For more information,

call the concert ticket line at 404-433-2145, ext. 470.