There it is pretty clear to me he is quoting the Easter vigil alleluia, with the first interval being changed to a fourth rather than a minor third.
Have been racking my brain trying to figure out what the passage in the Christmas piece is referring to but have come up empty. It doesn't seem to be a chant from any Christmas propers that I can see, though I may be missing something. Wondering if he was quoting a popular hymn tune of some kind?
Would be grateful if anyone had any clues to share, thanks a lot!
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