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- James Whitbourn
Missa Carolae (2004)
- Chester Music Ltd (World)
Commissioned by the Rochester Cathedral for its 1400th anniversary.
- pic(=fife)/3pt.3tbn/2perc/org/optional congregation
- SATB (with divisi); org; pic (optional)
- SATB (with divisi)
- 23 min
- English, Latin
- 23rd November 2024, Oakham School Chapel, Oakham, United Kingdom
Programme Note
The work is available in two scorings: it can be performed either with SATB, choir and organ (all scores available on sale), or, preferably, in its original scoring:
SATB (with divisi)
Piccolo (or fife)
3 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Organ
2 percussionists (drums, cymbals, tubular bell)
Congregation part (ad lib.)
The instrumental parts for this version are available on hire from the publishers. The vocal score and congregation and solo parts are available on sale.
NB: the organ accompaniment in this score is for performance of the version for voices and organ only; the separate organ part, available on hire, must be used for the version with instruments.
An ad lib. part for the congregation is incorporated into the full scoring of Missa Carolae. References to the entries of the congregation is made in the vocal score for occasions when it is used in conjunction with the full instrumentation. The congregation part is available on sale (order no. CH70961).
Missa Carolæ was written for the 1400th anniversary of Rochester Cathedral, the second oldest cathedral in England. Performances there begin with a ceremonial procession that follows the movement of a boy chorister, accompanied by pipe and drum, from the High Altar to a large crib placed in the Nave, gathering the choirs (singing from different parts of the cathedral) and principal clergy in the course of the procession.
The work, though not literally for dancing, is intended to invoke a dance-like spirit, which is true to the origin of the carol as a simple dance form. The choir parts should be very well known, so that the singers can sing with the whole of their bodies and not just their voices. It is suitable for liturgical or concert use.
The following melodies from traditional Christmas Carols are incorporated in the mass:
Processional: Guillô, pran ton tamborin!
Kyrie: Noël nouvelet! (French traditional).
Gloria: Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen (Prætorius);
God rest ye merry gentlemen (English traditional).
Sanctus & Benedictus: In dulci jubilo (German traditional);
Remember, O thou man (Ravenscroft).
Agnus Dei: Wzlobie lezy (Infant holy) (Polish traditional).
Texts: Guillô, pran ton tamborin! (translated by James Whitbourn), Isaiah 9 and the Latin Mass.
SATB (with divisi)
Piccolo (or fife)
3 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Organ
2 percussionists (drums, cymbals, tubular bell)
Congregation part (ad lib.)
The instrumental parts for this version are available on hire from the publishers. The vocal score and congregation and solo parts are available on sale.
NB: the organ accompaniment in this score is for performance of the version for voices and organ only; the separate organ part, available on hire, must be used for the version with instruments.
An ad lib. part for the congregation is incorporated into the full scoring of Missa Carolae. References to the entries of the congregation is made in the vocal score for occasions when it is used in conjunction with the full instrumentation. The congregation part is available on sale (order no. CH70961).
Missa Carolæ was written for the 1400th anniversary of Rochester Cathedral, the second oldest cathedral in England. Performances there begin with a ceremonial procession that follows the movement of a boy chorister, accompanied by pipe and drum, from the High Altar to a large crib placed in the Nave, gathering the choirs (singing from different parts of the cathedral) and principal clergy in the course of the procession.
The work, though not literally for dancing, is intended to invoke a dance-like spirit, which is true to the origin of the carol as a simple dance form. The choir parts should be very well known, so that the singers can sing with the whole of their bodies and not just their voices. It is suitable for liturgical or concert use.
The following melodies from traditional Christmas Carols are incorporated in the mass:
Processional: Guillô, pran ton tamborin!
Kyrie: Noël nouvelet! (French traditional).
Gloria: Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen (Prætorius);
God rest ye merry gentlemen (English traditional).
Sanctus & Benedictus: In dulci jubilo (German traditional);
Remember, O thou man (Ravenscroft).
Agnus Dei: Wzlobie lezy (Infant holy) (Polish traditional).
Texts: Guillô, pran ton tamborin! (translated by James Whitbourn), Isaiah 9 and the Latin Mass.