The Ground

I stumbled upon young Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo (pronounced Yay-lo) last month. While Gjeilo composes pieces for choir, orchestra/symphonic winds and piano, his main passion is improvisation (he is a pianist and you can see him in action here).
I'm in awe of anyone able to improvise at this level.

In 2008, Gjeilo composed a Sunrise Mass for Choir and String Orchestra. In 2011, he further developed the chorale from the last movement "In the Moment" into a free-standing anthem entitled "The Ground".  What's fascinating is that the piano accompaniment stands on it's own as an improvisational-style piece (you can here a version of it here). All together with strings, I find it simply beautiful.

Here is Kairos String Quartet and the composer, Ola Gjeilo, accompanying the Central Washington University Chamber Choir.

Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Osanna, Osanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna, Osanna in excelsis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Dona nobis pacem.

Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Lamb of God, grant us peace.