Polyphonic and Orchestral Mass Ordinaries
  • emac3183
    Posts: 90
    Hello!

    In my new/current post, I have the luxury of being able to program and perform awesome Mass Ordinaries.

    So far this year, we've done Faure's Requiem and Haydn's Missa Sancti Nicolai for All Souls and Holy Family, respectively. The choir had sung these last year, so the prep was significantly easier than it could have been. Last year, they sang Victoria's Missa O Magnum and Pro defunctis a 6, as well as Haydn's Missa Brevis No. 7 in Bb.

    I'm looking for options for polyphonic/orchestral Masses and am overwhelmed. I am particularly targeting Ascension, Pentecost, and Corpus Christi.

    Here's what I'm looking for in polyphonic ordinaries:
    SATB, or possible SSATB or SATTB. SSATTB is a stretch, but could be done if worth it.
    Pretty straightforward, but sublime
    Concise (Kyrie/Gloria in 5-7 min max, Sanctus/Benedictus in the 3-6 min range, Agnus Dei around 3 min...these numbers could be flexible for especially captivating arrangements)

    Here's what I'm looking for in orchestral ordinaries:
    A bulk of the work is done by 4 voices (and so could be handled by my section leaders if necessary, similar to the Sancti Nicolai) AND/OR
    Pretty straightforward, but sublime
    Concise (same parameters as the polyphonic ordinaries) or can be edited down without destroying the musical identity of the piece
    Doesn't require huge orchestral forces (could be done with string quartet and oboe, for instance) but is "expandable"

    What are your suggestions to start? Thank you!
  • GerardH
    Posts: 630
    De Profunctis

    De profundis or pro defunctis? lol

    Mozart has several Masses which are fairly brief and lightly orchestrated - Sparrow Mass is probably the prime example, or D major (KV 194).

    Byrd's three Masses should absolutely be your next polyphonic project.

    Please don't edit things for brevity. Get everyone to sit during the Gloria instead (a la Westminster cathedral)
    Thanked by 1emac3183
  • Chaswjd
    Posts: 301
    You could try the Haydn Missa Rorate Caeli.
    Thanked by 1emac3183
  • emac3183
    Posts: 90
    The Sparrow Mass and Byrd a 4 are really strong contenders so far! Thank you @GerardH.

    Apparently my Latin is dyslexic--had to laugh at that one.
  • Drake
    Posts: 235
    Shameless plug ... but if you are willing to consider a new Mass setting, I recently completed Missa O Rex Gloriae, which is looking for its debut (PDF is free for liturgical use). It is a polyphonic, a4 (SATB) setting. I find it is generally in the style of Victoria, so it should be approachable coming from Missa O Magnum and Victoria's a6 requiem.

    Kyrie is around 2.5 minutes, Gloria about 5 minutes, Sanctus/Benedictus together around 3 minutes, Agnus Dei about 2.75 minutes. (Depends a bit on tempo and interpretation).
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