English Setting of the Reproaches
  • Hello all,

    It's been a long time since I've posted something on here. Last week, I was planning music for my choirs for the Triduum when I got this bit of inspiration to write a setting of the Reproaches. I wanted to keep it mainly homophonic, with vocal ranges to work well with an aging choir. I loved the Victoria setting, but I would not be able to get the choir comfortable with the polyphonic sections on a short notice, and I wanted something that had a sadder sound to attempt to portray Jesus weeping for how we treat him despite how good he has been to us.

    Here is the current work in progress. I have the notes down paired (finally) with the texts from the Roman Missal (I had initially written portions of it with whatever translation the english version of the Victoria uses), I'm going to add dynamics that treat the english responses in the Triagion as echoes, and add some crescendos in the main portion (How have I grieved you).

    I'm also trying to figure out the best way to notate the tempo differences in the piece. In the Trisagion, the greek will be about twice as quick as the english, so I imagine some use of cut time meters, but I couldn't think of how it would lay out easiest.

    Thanks for your feedback and help!
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    Edited 2:03PM 3-14-2019 for an updated score and including an MP3 rendering
    Reproaches full 2.pdf
    552K
    Reproaches.mp3
    9M
  • Very moving!
    Your work should have a profound effect.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Thank you! As far as the tempo differences in the Trisagion (Hagios o Theos, etc.), would that be the most efficient way to use the time signatures? The echoed english part will be going back to a tempo similar to the first chorus.
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,878
    I think this has a lovely, somber dignity. I wish I had discovered this sooner; too late to teach it to my choir now. I threw together a quick very simple chant-like version for my choir. Sadly, the Lalemant doesn't use the official text so that was out for us...

    Regarding your score (which, on the whole is quite lovely!) I'd suggest at places like D and F you make the latter notes closer together. It can be very hard for a choir to read words (and notes) spread so far apart. Just condense them so it's easier to read and leave the rest of the staff blank. It's just par for the course with this type of thing. Bravo!
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,878
    Not to piggy back here (the OP's version is SO much better than this one!) but if anyone is looking for a simple version to introduce the reproaches to their parish but wants the official translation, here's an option. It was quick and dirty to get the job done. Refrain during Part II only requires SAB (we are, of yet, a humble group.). I wanted to use the Lalemant but the words aren't the official translation.
    Reproaches (Simple) ServiamScores.pdf
    90K
    Thanked by 1RedPop4
  • For an English version of the Gregorian version, there is always Palmer=Burgess.
    (But of course it's in Old Church English.)
    Still, I must say again how profoundly beautiful Nate's version is!
  • princehalprincehal
    Posts: 50
    Well, if it helps for next year... XD

    I did an English translation of the King's Singer's arrangement (Original recording here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH8t5BKI7Qg)

    And I really, really like the way it came out. It's my favorite piece we sing all year, and it's super easy for the choir to learn.

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1_5wxO8nlQ0anV3NzFic3R4ODA
    My People English Choir Score.pdf
    127K
    Thanked by 1RedPop4
  • Nate, did you finish this composition or perhaps now have a recording of it? I’d love to check it out!