Consolamini popule meus

This moving motet opens with a direct address from God to His people, offering consolation and bidding them speak to the heart of Jerusalem. The text speaks of transgressions forgiven and sins atoned for, setting the scene for the coming of the Lord. It draws on the imagery of Isaiah, with a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. The composer reflects the ephemeral nature of human glory, likening it to a field flower that withers, contrasting it with the enduring word of God. Alexander Utendal sets this profound Latin text for a rich SATTB choir, creating a devotional atmosphere through its solemn harmonies and expressive melodic lines.