Sanctus/Benedictus

(from Mass 1992)

SATB a cappella

Duration 4:30

Text from the Mass

Notes

The final project for my Master’s Degree in Music Composition back in 1992 was to write a Mass. I experimented with sounds that the human body and voice can make that are not often used in traditional choral music. Each movement uses different techniques. The entire Mass has never been performed together, however most movements have been performed separately.

Sanctus - begins with a beautiful melody, then builds contrapuntally into aleatoric singing.

Benedictus - is in a minimalistic style, layering short melodies on top of each other.

The Two Osannas - incorporate whispering and shouting.

Text

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Osanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit
in nomine Domini.
Osanna in excelsis.