The a cappella motet 'Alleluja' (2018) is a 'song of longing' which resonates existential need as well as the hope of a profound connection to God. In the beginning which is delicate and motivically very concentrated but metrically deliberately uncoordinated more and more voices gather to sing together until suddenly starting from the bass a violent and rhythmically exalted incantation breaks out. The following fortissimo unison in a high register is the climax of the entire work piece. In the â Abgesang â the beginning is taken up but now in a polyphonic and harmonically intensified setting. The end in A major seems like a salvation. The work has been released onthe CD 'Rejoice. Vocal Music by Kay Johannsen' (Carus 83.496/00).
