When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

The simple character of this timeless melody has been preserved in this quiet and meditative setting. The introduction opens with a rising harmonic progression that plateaus and then settles into a quiet background of whole note chords and a bass bell ostinato. The melody is then presented in 4-measure phrases, separated by a measure of the background pattern that creates a moment of reflection between the phrases. The work is suitable for use as a quiet prelude or offertory at any time of year, but is especially appropriate during Lent.