: Pierre Villette (1926–1998), a director of the Conservatoire at Aix-en-Provence who blended French Impressionism with liturgical tradition. Composition Date : 1995 (Opus 80). Voicing : SATB Chorus, performed a cappella . Duration : Approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
Villette's setting is characterized by its evocative, richly textured choral writing. Unlike the more linear, solo-driven melody of Franck's version, Villette’s Opus 80 is noted for:
: It features a "sensuous" harmonic palette with frequent added notes and "gentle dissonance". Reviewers often compare its lush, exotic textures to the works of Francis Poulenc and Maurice Duruflé.
: The voices often move in rhythmic unison, emphasizing rich vertical harmonies rather than complex counterpoint. Context and Legacy