Latin mass setting from South Africa
  • LancePhillip212
    Posts: 4
    Dear friends,
    I have recently completed a draft of a mass setting (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus/Benedictus, Agnus Dei), and am seeking general comment, as well as any interest in a first performance. The setting is for choir & organ.
    The style is modal/tonal, and although it is fairly chromatic, the level of dissonance is quite low.
    It is inspired by the French tradition of Langlais & Vierne, and the melodies shaped by the plainchant style.
    An accomplished/semi-professional liturgical choir would not find it much more challenging than Faure's Requiem.

    MIDI demo sound file: https://youtu.be/ll3DqGvBYwI?si=NaudhcQwLW7IX8wi

    Although I am a Protestant, I greatly admire the musical traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, and am as at home singing Palestrina/Mozart as I am with Stanford & Vaughan Williams. I would add that I am somewhat isolated here in Bloemfontein, in the sense that I am removed from the central tradition of modern church music, so I hope that this mass does not come across as hopelessly old-fashioned or provincial! Even if it does, I would be very happy to receive your criticism, as I am keen to learn from experts who work in the field every day.

    This is also my first post on the forum, with the exception of a note of thanks to the administrator who approved my membership this morning.

    Regards from Bloemfontein, South Africa.
    Lance
    LancePhillip212@gmail.com
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen M. Jackson Osborn StimsonInRehab
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 122
    Hey Lance,
    I love your musical language. I was an assistant to the choirmaster at Antwerp Cathedral (Belgium) and now I have my own ensemble (tenors and basses) consisting of former choirboys. Don't mind what people think of your music: it is your expression!
  • LancePhillip212
    Posts: 4
    Hi VocesCapituli,
    Thank you so much. It’s great to get such marvellous feedback from prominent musicians on my first day on the forum!
    If ever you want to exchange musical ideas, please email me at LancePhillip212@gmail.com.
    Ricardo Luna commissioned a brief communion anthem from me a few weeks ago, for St Peter’s Church in Vienna; hopefully this will be sung in the mass this coming Sunday - its a setting of Quinques prudentes virgines for TTB & organ. I’d be more than happy to send you the score after the premiere.
    One of my former students now conducts the Bloemfontein Children’s Choir, and I believe they are touring Europe next year, with a visit to the Cathedral in Belgium; I wrote them a setting of the Gloria in excelsis for SSAA & piano, and I hope they sing it there if invited to sing in the mass.
    Cheers,
    Lance
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