Format : Vocal Score
Requiem canticorum is a five-movement work of 12 - 14 minutes’ duration. Its title means 'a Requiem of song' or 'a Requiem of canticles' indicating that it is a commemorative piece which sets texts associated with theRequiem mass rather than being a full Requiem. It is scored for choir soprano saxophone and organ a scoring it shares with the 'Son of God Mass' by the same composer.It can be performed as a concert piece or as afree-standing anthem within the context of a commemorative event or liturgy.‘Requiem canticorum’ can also be performed in conjunction with selected movements from the ‘Son of God Mass’ to make a full concert Requiem. Thekey-structure of the two works allows for a seamless intertwining and in concert should be performed in the sequence indicated below. When performed in this way the sequence can be given the title 'Requiem' or 'Requiem Son of GodMass' in a concert programme.Introit (Requiem canticorum)Pie Jesu (Requiem canticorum)Kyrie (Son of God Mass)Alleluia (Requiem canticorum)De profundis (Requiem canticorum)Sanctus and Benedictus (Son ofGod Mass)Pax Domini (Son of God Mass)Agnus Dei (Son of God Mass)Lux Aeterna (Requiem canticorum)Amen (Son of God Mass)Additionally some of the work can be used within a Requiem liturgy the followingmovements having a liturgical place:Introit (Requiem canticorum) until bar 68Kyrie (Son of God Mass)Alleluia (Requiem canticorum)or De profundis (Requiem canticorum)Sanctus and Benedictus (Son of GodMass)Agnus Dei (Son of God Mass)Lux Aeterna (Requiem canticorum) and Amen (Son of God Mass).'There is real depth and sincerity to Whitbourn's writing lending an atmosphere of solemnity and reassuring calm. The thickhomophonic scoring and complementary modal flourishes from the Sax imbue the piece with an eastern ambience only occasionally brought back to western shores by the limited use of Organ. Low basses are essential but otherwise the
SKU: GI.G-CD-883
UPC: 747313273775.
James Whitbourn is known for his 'boundless breadth of choral imagination' (The Observer) resulting in compositions of brilliance and power. His extraordinary work for choir, saxophone and organ, Son of God Mass, receives a new recording from the young voices of one of the finest chamber choirs from Rider University's Westminster Choir College under one of the leading American choral conductors, James Jordan. It is heard alongside premiere recordings of other works associated with life and death, including the Requiem canticorum and Living Voices, a work to commemorate the date of 9/11 with a poem by Andrew Motion. The luminosity and sheer beauty of Whitbourn's composing style is brought to unusual heights by the skills of the Williamson Voices and their conductor, James Jordan. The entire album is a collection of choral music with a spiritual center. The composer's use of saxophone and organ, interweaving with those lovely young Westminster voices, attain a kind of choral glory unusual for any music, extraordinary for 'contemporary' music. The album soothes, stretches, pulls the listener to places of fascination and high emotion, captivates and can often amaze. It is an exalted achievement. — Roger Ames A truly stunning recording.
