Mass of the Children
Mass of the Children is a major work of English composer John Rutter. It is a non-liturgical Missa brevis, with the traditional Latin and Greek Mass text interwoven with several English poems.
Mass of the Children consists of five movements:
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Sanctus and Benedictus
- Agnus Dei
- Finale (Dona nobis pacem)
The Finale uses additional text from the Agnus Dei which was not used in the preceding movement, as well as two prayer adaptations by Rutter and a poem by Bishop Thomas Ken (An Evening Hymn). Another of Ken's poems was incorporated into the Kyrie (A Morning Hymn), and a poem by William Blake (The Lamb, from Songs of Innocence and of Experience) is interwoven with the Agnus Dei.[1]
Mass of the Children exists in two different instrumentations. Both versions are for mixed (SATB) choir, children's choir (SSA), baritone and soprano soloists. The first version is for full orchestra; the second for chamber orchestra and organ.[1] Both versions have been recorded: the orchestral version on Rutter's own Collegium label conducted by the composer[2] and the chamber version on the Naxos label conducted by Timothy Brown.[3]
Mass of the Children was first performed on February 13, 2003, at New York's Carnegie Hall.[4]
References
- 1 2 Rutter, John. "Mass of the Children" (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2003). ISBN 9780193380943; OCLC: 53106424.
- ↑ Rutter, John. Mass of the Children. The Cambridge Singers, Cantate Youth Choir, & the City of London Sinfonia, cond. John Rutter. With Joanne Lunn (soprano) & Roderick Williams (baritone). Collegium Records, COLCD 129, 2003, compact disc.
- ↑ Brown, Tim (conductor). Rutter: Mass of the Children / Shadows / Wedding Canticle. By John Rutter. Naxos, 8.557922, 2006, compact disc.
- ↑ Liner notes to Rutter, Mass of the Children (Collegium Records, CD), sup.