Crux fidelis

Ruggiero Giovannelli’s motet Crux fidelis is a powerful setting of a Latin text in praise of the True Cross. The text, attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux, poetically extols the wood of the cross as a unique and noble tree, unlike any other in its foliage, flower, or fruit. It describes the sweet wood, the sweet nails, and the sweet weight that it bore. Scored for double choir (SATB.SATB), this sacred motet offers opportunities for rich antiphonal effects and dense harmonic textures. Its devotional subject matter and grand choral forces make it a compelling choice for services or concerts, exploring the profound theological significance of the crucifixion through resonant choral sound.