Schirmer Choral Series

The traditional text with spiritual roots has been adapted by the composer. With an unadorned melody set in a simple but beautiful musical language with open, transparent harmonies, this music can be sung well by groups of many different abilities and in many situations. Duration: 3:00

This work is dedicated to Heather Heyer of Charlottesville, Virginia, who gave her life for our mission of tolerance. Using the traditional African American tune LET US BREAK BREAD, this arrangement is scored for SSAA chorus and piano. A new verse is added, "Let us rise up together all as one," as a call for strength through unity.

Set to the poetry of the 16th-century Spanish Carmelite priest, San Juan de la Cruz, this piece (and its companion, 7351) can read as secular love songs. Actually, however, they are religious allegory. "Luz y amor" ("Light and Love") appears to be about "a solitary bird," but contains five pieces of advice for those seeking a deeper relationship with God: always be aware of God's presence; strip away everything that is not God; be open and listen for the voice of the Holy One; let go of your own ambitions and attachments; and sing sweetly of the delight of Love. Duration: 2:30

Set to the poetry of the 16th-century Spanish Carmelite priest, San Juan de la Cruz (St. John of the Cross,) this piece (and its companion, 7350) can appear to be a secular love song. But it is actually religious allegory in which the Soul is singing to God. He is strong and magnificent as a mountain; comforting as the cool, shady woods; filled with unexpected delights like an exotic island; possesses her powerfully like a roaring river; thrills her with a touch like a breeze on the skin; fills her and satisfies her like a delicious meal; opens her eyes to the unexpected, like the dawn. As they rest together in the tranquil night, the soul delights in these feelings like being filled with glorious music that can truly be heard only in silence. In that moment, we are given a luxurious silence, surrounded by gorgeous music, in which we, too, may simply breathe, delight and rest in the presence of Love.

Duration: 2:30

Missa Gaia: Mass for the Earth is a creed for our times. The form and spirit of the traditional Mass combines with words that speak of human beings' relationship to the Earth. The texts are drawn from the Bible, from Native American poets Joy Harjo and Maurice Kenny, from medieval mystic Meister Eckhart, from the Chinook Psalter and from poets M. K. Dean, Wendell Berry and Gerard Manley Hopkins.

 

"We Pray to Be at Peace" is movement II of the work, marked "II. Kyrie: Mother, Sister, Blessed, Honored" in the score. Gentle and lyrical, this two minute piece is a prayer for humility and awareness.

 

A recording of the whole mass is available for purchase with the album, Missa Gaia (Oregon Repertory Singers, Koch International Classics 3-7279-2HI), and the introit can also be found on Women of Note.