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.
Popule meus is based on the Reproaches of Good Friday. The text, derived from Micah 6:3, is meant to be God’s reflection on his sacrifices for his chosen people. The Reproaches are one of the few places in the Roman Catholic liturgy where the Greek language of the infant Christian Church is retained.
This composition paraphrases the original plainsong in the style of an unaccompanied Renaissance motet. The cantus firmus is placed in the middle voice during the chorus and in the top voice in the antiphonal sections. The solo chant verses may be sung by one or more soloists and, following the rubrics of the Liber Usualis (1952), the two verses may be sung by soloist/soloists from different choirs. There should not be a great deal of separation between the two choirs because of the polyphonic texture of the tutti.
Popule méus, quid féci tíbi? Aut in quo contristávi te? Responde mihi!
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
Quia edúxi te de térra Aegypti, parásti crúcem Salvatóri túo.
I led you out of the land of Egypt. You led your Saviour to a cross.
Agios, o Theos. Agios ischyrós. Aagios athánatos, eléison imas.
Sanctus Déus. Sanctus fórtis. Sanctus immortális, miserére nóbis.
Holy God. Holy, mighty One. Holy, immortal One, have mercy on us.
Popule méus, quid féci tíbi? Aut in quo contristávi te? Responde mihi!
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
Quid ultra débui fácere tíbi, et non féci? Ego quidem plantávi te víneam méam speciosissimam, et tu fácta es míhi nimis amára acéto namque sítim méam potásti et láncea perforásti látus Salvatóris túo.
What more could I have done, and did it not? Behold, I planted you as my fairest vine and you have yielded only bitterness. My thirst you have quenched with vinegar and with a lance you have pierced your Saviour’s side.
Agios, o Theos. Agios ischyrós. Aagios athánatos, eléison imas.
Sanctus Déus. Sanctus fórtis. Sanctus immortális, miserére nóbis.
Holy God. Holy, mighty One. Holy, immortal One, have mercy on us.
Popule méus, quid féci tíbi? Aut in quo contristávi te? Responde mihi!
My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
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