Thunder Entered Her

{{Short description|1990 choral piece by John Tavener}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

Thunder Entered Her is a choral piece written by the English composer John Tavener in 1990. It was commissioned by the St Albans Chamber Choir and it is written for SATB chorus, handbells and pipe organ.

The simple lyrics "Thunder entered her / And made no sound" are taken from the Hymns on the Nativity of Saint Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306–373),{{cite book|author=Robert Reilly|title=Surprised by Beauty: A Listener's Guide to the Recovery of Modern Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFVgDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT362|date=2016-04-21|publisher=Ignatius Press|isbn=978-1-68149-704-4|page=362}} and describe the virginal conception of Jesus within Mary. The characteristic juxtaposition by Ephrem of opposites or paradoxical elements continues as the child is described as "The Shepherd of all ... [who] became a lamb."{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GW5DCwAAQBAJ&dq=thunder%20entered%20her%20ephraim&pg=PT153 | title=The Life and Essential Writings of Ephraim the Syrian | isbn=978-1-257-74206-6 | last1=Syrian | first1=Ephraim the | date=7 March 2013 | publisher=Lulu.com }} The quotation ends with a lamb entering the world "bleating", featuring a melismatic tenor solo.

The multi-layered composition features a ritualistic use of handbells.Liner notes to EMI Classics 50999 2 37691 2 0 Tavener employs spatial techniques such as placing a smaller chorus, which intones the Velichayem [We magnify you], and the handbells at a distance from the main chorus. Tension is built by adding low organ roulades representing thunder that punctuate the text and are accompanied by several "Amen" from the main body of the choir. The work closes with a tenor solo, marked "The Sacrificial Lamb", which represents the birth and Passion of Christ.Liner notes by Michael Stewart from CD Virgin Classics 545035-2.