Prayer is one of the composer’s most original and sophisticated works. The typical African-American church service seems to be a source for this piece with its interplay of sections and colors, yet the work in form and rhythmic choices is clearly ‘classical’ and never breaks out into easy imitations of, for example, gospel music.The work opens with the choir singing the spiritual ‘My Lord, What a Mornin’’ in octaves, sung flat-out a cappella, as might happen in church. The instrumental section f...