BRUCKNER E MINOR MASS

GLORIA IN D MAJOR, RV 589 (C. 1715)

Scored for: oboe, trumpet, continuo, strings, chorus, and soloists Performance time: 30 minutes First Grant Park Orchestra performance: July 27, 1977, Thomas Peck, conductor with Kathleen Battle, soprano and Mary Pat Finucane, mezzo-soprano

More than likely, when people hear the strains of the text “Gloria in Excelsis” sung by a choir, the nostalgia of the holidays (Christmas in particular) seems to come to mind. The exuberance of Antonio Vivaldi’s baroque choral masterwork is one that conjures both joy and spirited excitement year round. Its trademark is the festive opening with the strings and trumpet, preparing the way for the choir’s declamatory entrance. With the exception of the “in excelsis” towards the end of the piece, the voices move primarily in tandem with the string accompaniment. For the listeners who look forward to variety when enjoying extended works, the movements offer an array of opportunities for both the chorus and the vocal soloists. A wonderful example of this is the duet for the soprano I and II, “Laudamus te.” Similar to the call and response used in the church setting, the entrance of soprano I introduces the main theme for the piece as soprano II echoes the initial melody. Together, the two voices move with agility, dancing playfully around the strings. In contrast, the mezzo-soprano aria “Qui sedes ad dextram” is a work that is a bit more involved. With long phrases, the voice blossoms as the soloist negotiates the fiendishly quick notes of the aria. One may find that the vocal lines of the solo pieces are reminiscent of perhaps his most popular instrumental suite of violin concertos: The Four Seasons.

The chorus gets a few moments in the sun as well in the “Propter magnam” as the respective voice parts move with the virtuosic quality of the instruments. A unifying quality in music of the Baroque period is the use of repetition. The theme of the opening “Gloria” is repeated similarly in the chorus “Quoniam tu solus sanctus.” This feeling of continuity is something that is almost immediately felt by the listener.

On a lighter note, because of his hair, Vivaldi was often referred to as the “red-headed priest.” Perhaps that explains the fiery, yet contemplative nature which he threads throughout the movements of the composition. The final movement, “Cum sancto spiritu” is a magnificent statement of faith. Beginning with the basses, the four parts all enter individually until they are all together, forming a cornerstone of sound that expresses so well “with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.” Similar to the opening “Gloria,” the trumpet returns in a more prominent fashion, musically solidifying the finality of the work. With a sense of forward movement in the voices and instruments alike, the work ends with an ebullient “Amen.”

Gloria in excelsis Deo Chorus

Glory to God on high;

Chorus Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. And on earth peace, good will toward men.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te. Soprano 1 and 2 We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee.

Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Chorus

We give thanks to thee for thy great glory.

Domine Deus, rex coelestis, Deus pater omnipotens; Soprano 1 Lord God, heavenly king, God the father almighty;

Chorus Domine fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Lord, the only begotten son, Jesus Christ;

Alto and chorus Domine Deus, agnus Dei, filius patris, Rex coelestis, Domine Fili unigenite, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Lord God, lamb of God, son of the father, heavenly king, only begotten son, thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.

Qui sedes ad dexteram patris, miserere nobis.

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe.

Cum sancto spiritu, in gloria Dei patris. Amen. Chorus

Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.

Alto

Thou who sittest at the right hand of the father, have mercy upon us.

Chorus

For thou alone art holy, thou alone art the Lord, thou alone are most high, Jesus Christ.

Chorus

With the holy spirit, in the glory of God the father.

Amen.