A loud, high and modern piece sung first at Southall Minster during a brief sojourn around 22nd April '89
Hebrew for "praise the Lord" (though in its Greek spelling). It is a word of joy and gladness. An ancient custom is to refrain from using Alleluia during Lent in order to distinguish the penitential nature of this season from the exuberance of the Easter season that follows.
a highly melismatic responsorial chant from the mass. Alleluias are commonly identified by the first few words of their verses, such as Alleluia Justus ut palma. The form of the alleluia is complicated: Alleluia (sung by the soloist) Alleluia + jubilus (sung by the choir) Verse (sung by the soloist, with the choir joining at the very end) Alleluia + jubilus (sung by the choir)
The Greek form of the Hebrew word Hallelujah, which means "praise God." Orthodox Christians sing a chorus of Alleluia interspersed with psalm verses prior to the Gospel reading at the Divine Liturgy.
An exclamation of praise and joy, used in various parts of the liturgy, except during Lent. Derived from the Hebrew, meaning "Praise the Lord."
Alleluia is a piece for unaccompanied SATB chorus by Randall Thompson. Composed over the first five days of July in 1940, it was given its world premiere on July 8 of that year at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood under the direction of G. Wallace Woodworth.