Arkham

Samuel Holyoke's Arkham is a four-part sacred work for SATB choir. The vocal lines are often treated with a degree of independence, creating a rich, resonant texture. The composer uses homophonic passages for moments of emphasis, and pairs of voices are frequently heard in imitation. The English text is straightforward in its devotional message, and the musical setting reflects this with clarity and directness. It is a fine example of American sacred music from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.