Amy Beach's The Canticle of the Sun, based on a thirteenth-century poem by St. Francis of Assisi, celebrates the totality of existence: God, creation and humanity—even the death of the body is praised. The piece features mixed chorus, a quartet of soloists, and orchestra, blending Romantic tonality with twentieth-century melodic and harmonic expressionism. Premiered in 1928 and 1930, it resonated with audiences for its accessibility and symphonic style.