commentary to opus 98b

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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 14, 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)

Laudate, pueri Domini,
laudate nomen Domini.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Sit nomen Domini benedictum ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for ever.

Laudate, pueri Domini,
laudate nomen Domini.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

A solis ortu usque ad occasum
laudabile nomen Domini.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof the Lord's name is to be praised.

Excelsus super omnes gentes Dominus, super caelos gloria eius.
The Lord is high above all nations, His glory is above the heavens.

Laudate, pueri Domini,
laudate nomen Domini.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui in altis habitat
Who is like unto the Lord our God, that is enthroned on high,

Et humilia respicit in caelo et in terra?
That looketh down low upon heaven and upon the earth?

Laudate, pueri Domini,
laudate nomen Domini.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Suscitans a terra inopem et de stercore erigens pauperem,
Who raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the needy out of the dunghill;

Ut collocet eum cum principibus, cum principibus populi sui.
That He may set him with princes, even with the princes of His people.

Laudate, pueri Domini,
laudate nomen Domini.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Qui habitare facit sterilem in domo, matrem filiorum laetantem.
Who maketh the barren woman to dwell in her house as a joyful mother of children.

Laudate, pueri Domini,
laudate nomen Domini.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Laudate, pueri Domini,
laudate nomen Domini.
Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

 

II. Kyrie

Kyrie, eleison.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Christe, eleison.
Christ Lord, have mercy on us.

Kyrie, eleison.
Lord, have mercy on us.

 

III. Gloria

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam,
Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace to men of good will. We praise Thee. We bless Thee. We worship Thee. We glorify Thee. We give Thee thanks for Thy great glory,

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe.
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty. Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son.

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu: in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
For Thou alone art holy; Thou alone art Lord; Thou alone, O Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the Glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

IV. Sanctus

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts.

Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.
Heaven and earth are filled with Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

 

V. Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem.
Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

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