Set in the robust genre of a worship-song
The First and Last makes only passing reference to Pitts’s characteristic devices of added-note harmonies and cross relations. The text describes St John’s vision of the living Lord and is given an unrelenting rhythmic impetus that drives the music inexorably towards an optimistic and colourful conclusion. The seven lamps of the first verse represent the seven churches of Asia Minor, and the seven stars their bishops.
from notes by Jeremy Summerly © 2005
