• Duration: 5 minutes
  • Chorus: SATB
  • Instrumentation: Solo Violin
  • Published by: Novello

Based on text from the Book of Revelation, this work depicts the Archangel Michael saving heaven from the serpent.

The sinuous solo violin at the beginning and throughout depicts the serpent as well as creating a mood of majesty and quiet victory. With the choir gradually joining, a fresh and unusual sound world, almost other-worldly, is created.  In performance, Patrick always envisaged the solo violinist appearing alone before the different sections of the choir process from different points of the performance venue.

Perfect at any time of the year, it works particularly well as a motet to mark the Feast of St Michael the Archangel.  The piece also featured on the Number One selling album Angel with the Choir of New College, Oxford.


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Factum est silentium in caelo
dum draco committeret bellum
et Michael pugnavit cum eo et fecit victoriam.
Audita est vox Millia millium dicentium
Salus honor virtus et gloria omnipotenti Deo.

Silence befell heaven,
for a serpent was waging war;
and Michael fought with him and emerged victorious.
Thousands upon thousands of voices were heard
 proclaiming
health, honour, virtue and glory to Almighty God.