Ecce carissimi

The composer John Taverner presents a striking setting of a Latin text in this AB voicing. The music opens with a sense of urgency, reflecting the dramatic nature of the words. As the text unfolds, it speaks of the coming day of judgement and the swift passage of our earthly days, urging listeners to prepare themselves for the Lord's glorious advent. The piece urges haste, before the door of paradise is closed, so that each person may hasten to enter and reign eternally with the Lord. It calls for self-preparation to behold the immortal bridegroom and inherit the heavenly kingdoms, before Jerusalem calls out with great affection, 'Come, my most beloved children, come to me.'