Bertold Hummel work commentaries

commentary to opus 98b	Back to work register

Missa "Laudate pueri" for Mixed Chorus, Congregation (Schola), 8 Wind Instruments, Percussion und Organ, op. 98b (1995/2002)

I. Introitus: Psalmus 113 "Laudate pueri" beginning

II. Kyrie

III. Gloria

IV. Sanctus

V. Agnus Dei

Appendix: Kyrie (greg.) alternativ

Wind Instrumentation: 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons, 2 Trumpets, 2 Trombones

Percussion Instrumentation: Timpani, Vibraphone, Snare Drum, Tambourine, 4 Templeblocks, Bass Drum, Wood Drum, Triangle, 4 Cymbals, Sizzle Cymbal, Gong, Tamtam

First performance Introitus- Kyrie II (greg.) - Gloria Version for Schola, Choir, Congregation, 16 winds, Percussion, 3 Organs:
July 15, 1996, Salzburg, Dom, International Pueri cantores congress
Petits Chanteurs de Lyon / Würzburger Domsingknaben / 4900 Pueri cantores / Siegfried Koesler

First performance Introitus - Kyrie II (greg.)- Gloria - Sanctus - Agnus Dei Version for Choir, Congregation (Schola), 8 winds, Percussion and Organ:
July 7, 2002, Würzburg, Kiliansdom
Würzburger Domchor / Würzburger Domsingknaben / Siegfried Koesler

Duration: I. 5', II. 1'30'', III. 5', IV. 2'30'', V. 2'40''

Publisher: Schott Music
Score ED 9743 / ISMN M-001-13671-6
Choral Score ED 9743-1 / ISMN: 979-0-001-13672-3
Set of Parts ED 9743-10 / ISMN: 979-0-001-13674-7
Song Sheet ISMN: 979-0-001-13673-0


II. Kyrie	III. Gloria	IV. Sanctus	V. Agnus Dei

Reprint of the choral score (without Introitus): Chorbuch Pueri Cantores III / Carus 2.093/00, ISMN M-007-09612-0

Video: Works by Hummel on youtube

The first 3 parts of the Mass "Laudate Pueri Domini" were composed by Bertold Hummel as a commission for the XXVIII. International Congress of the Pueri Cantores. In a joint projekt with the composers Peter Planyavsky, Jitka Kozeluhová and Franz Thürauer, this Missa Nova received its première in July, 1996 in Salzburg Cathedral. On that occasion, he wrote the following text:

"As the tasks for a Missa Nova "Laudate pueri Domini" were allocated, I was asked to provide the Initium consisting of Introitus-Kyrie-Gloria. The wish to create a unity between the three sections was realised by including a three-note motif at the beginning of each section, acting as a kind of bridge to the next one. Ideally, the 3 pieces should follow each other without a pause. The recurring verse "Laudate Pueri Domini" permeates the Introitus and returns in a modified form in the refrain of the Gloria. There is also a link to the Eleison of the Gregorian Kyrie (XVI. Mass). A somewhat extended instrumental processional music allows for the expected ceremonial entrance of the clergy. In the instrumentation, the acoustic effects possible in Salzburg Cathedral (4 organs) are made use of. I think of the composition as having a shaped simplicity, suited to the occasion and the interior of the cathedral."

Bertold Hummel (23th May, 1996)

Foreword (Schott Music)

In 1996, upon invitation of the international choral association "Pueri Cantores" (young choirs dedicated to the preservation of the Church's choral tradition), Bertold Hummel composed for their international meeting in Salzburg the parts Introitus, Kyrie (Greg., see Appendix) and Gloria which met with a wide response. In the last year of his life, he completed this work with a subsequently composed Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.

The Salzburg Introitus psalm 113 can also be played instead of the Offertory or with the Communio. The Latin version "Laudate pueri Domini" corresponds with the text of the Nova Vulgata (1974) published by the Papal Committee. To many singers and listeners, this text which differs from the common "Laudate pueri Dominum" of the Vespers service may be unfamiliar but it corresponds to the meaning of the Hebrew original more clearly than the text used in the wellknown works by Monteverdi, W. A. Mozart and others. The psalm can be shortened by means of a cut (Vi-de bb. 86-111).

For the present printed version, the original instrumentation of the Salzburg parts has been reduced from 16 to 8 wind instruments, with the consent of the
composer. The percussion parts then played by four players can also be performed by only one or two players who have to arrange the parts accordingly. In the present score, the organ parts played on the four instruments of the Salzburg Cathedral in accompaniment ofthe leading choir (at that time boys' choirs of the cathedrals of Lyon and Würzburg) and the congregation (then more than 5,000 choir singers) at the world premiere in Salzburg are divided among a choir organ (ChO) and a main organ (HO). The whole part can also be played on one organ. The abbreviations ChO and HO may in this case serve as references to stop or manual changes. As with the "Salzburg" movements, the part of the congregation in the subsequently composed parts can also be performed by a choral group or schola.

Siegfried Koesler

Honorary President of the "Pueri Cantores" German and International Federation
Director of the First Performances in Salzburg 1996 and Würzburg 2002

I. Introitus: Psalmus 113 (112)