In the fall of 1993, while on sabbatical studying Gregorian chant performance with Dr. Mary Berry of Cambridge University, England, I was approached by the Rapid City Childrens’ Chorus to compose something for the chorus that would provide an educational and challenging experience for the young singers.
Liturgical Suite was the result of that commission. The three compositions are modern-day settings of music that has been part of western tradition for over one thousand years. They provide a canvas for teaching concepts of multiple meters, chant melody, and unaccompanied polyphony.
The original compositions became part of the RCCC repertory and were performed numerous times. I later revised the works for mixed chorus. This music is the result of that later revision.
Gloria, laus, et honor is based on the Gregorian chant processional for Palm Sunday worship. Cantors lead the choir into the church. They sing the chorus once and thereafter all the verses while the choir responds with the chorus. The chant was likely composed and written by Theodulf of Orléans between 810 and 817, based on the story of Jesus’s Entry into Jerusalem. The English hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honour” is based on John Mason Neale’s translation of this text.
This composition attempts to recapture the original event as a small group of singers herald the approach of the Messiah and they are joined by others as more and more people join the crowd greeting their Saviour.
Ideally the percussion would be hand drums played by persons within the chorus. But it would also be possible for stationary percussionists to be at the front of the concert setting. The parts are labelled “Low Tom” and “High Tom” but there are many different instruments that could be used, such as Bodhran, Bendir, etc.
Glória, laus, et honor, tibi sit Rex Christe Redémptor:
cui pueríle decus prompsit Hosánna pium.
All glory, praise, and honor, be to thee, Redeemer, Christ the King, to whom the lips of children sing sweet Hosanna.
Israel es tu Rex, Davídis et ínclyta proles:
nómine qui in Dómini, Rex benedícte venis.
You are the King of Israel, the descendant of David: you come, blessed King in the name of the Lord, .
Coetus in excélsis te laudat caélitus omnis,
et mortális homo, et cuncta creáta simul.
The highest heavens, mortal man, and all creation gathered together praise you.
Plebs Hebraéa tibi cum palmis óbvia venit:
cum prece, voto, hymnis, ádsumus ecce tibi.
The people of the Hebrews come to you with palms, prayer, vows, and hymns. We come to you.
Hi placuére tibi, pláceat devótio nostra:
Rex pie, Rex clemens, cui bona cuncta placent.
May this praise please you. May our devotion please you. Pious King, merciful King, to whom all good things please.
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