|
Compositions |
|
LARGE WORKS |
|
for SATB choir, Soprano duet, brass, percussion, timpani, and organ
Commissioned by Trinity United Methodist Church Chancel Choir Rev. G.W. Dub Shepherd, Minister of Worship and Fine Arts
Performance time 10.00 Premiered December 11, 2005 |
|
Recorded LIVE Trinity United Methodist Church Chancel Choir Miriam Georg and Kathryn Williams, Soprano soloists |
|
Magnificat: The Canticle of Mary Luke 1:46-55 The Magnificat, or Canticle of Mary is one of three canticles contained in the Gospel of Luke and serves in many ways as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Along with the Canticle of Zachary (Benedictus) and the Canticle of Simeon (Nunc dimittis), the Magnificat is an expression of joy and thanksgiving and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Though sometimes attributed to Elizabeth rather than Mary, scholars debate its authorship. Researching the references in Old Testament scriptures, one can see why the authorship is debated. However, most believe it to be a faithful interpretation of Mary’s response to her cousin Elizabeth of the visit by the angel Gabriel, proclaiming God’s Incarnation in Jesus Christ. While the full text is quite lengthy, ten verses with the addition of a Gloria Patri, I have taken creative liberty in condensing the emotion and message. |
|
ORIGINAL TEXT 46. Magnificat anima mea Dominum.
47. Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutary meo
48. Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae: ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generations.
49. Qui fecit mihi magna qui potens est; et sanctum nomen ejus.
50. Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum.
51. Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo: dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
52. Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles.
53. Esurientes implevit bonis: et divites dimisit inanes.
54. Suscepit Israel puerum suum. recordatus misericordiae suae.
55. Sicut locutus est ad patres nosotros, Abraham et semini ejus in saecula. |
|
ADAPTED TEXT 1. Magnificat anima mea Dominum.
2. Behold, my soul rejoices in God my savior. The barren shall bear fruit and all nations shall call me blessed.
3. Qui fecit mihi magna qui potens est; et sanctum nomen ejus.
4. Exultate Deo!
5. The first shall be last, the last shall be first. Suscepit Israel puerum suum.
6. Behold, my soul rejoices in God my savior. The barren shall bear fruit and all nations shall call me blessed.
7. Magnificat anima mea Dominum. |
|
The opening statement remains intact, Magnificat anima mea Dominum (My soul magnifies the Lord). The following two verses [47-48], have been truncated and adapted into English: “Behold, my soul rejoices in God my Savior. The barren shall bear fruit and all nations shall call me blessed.” The scriptural references in these verses, those being Psalm 34, Habakkuk 3, Psalm 137, Psalm 112, and Malachias 3 all refer to, in some fashion, to the ‘barren shall bear fruit’ and thus the addition of this text to the Magnificat. While the Magnificat’s authorship may be debated, one can easily see how Elizabeth could share in Mary’s joy with the birth of her own “holy child” in John. So, verse 49, Quia fecit…(For he who is mighty has done great things to me; and holy is his name) in this Magnificat is a duet for treble voices. The melody of this duet moves between the two voices, giving equal opportunity for both characters to express their joy. The full chorus concludes this section repeating the phrase “et sanctum nomen ejus.” Verses 50-52 are summarized into one phrase: Exultate Deo! (Rejoice in the Lord.) Verse 53, Esurientes implevit…. (The hungry he has filled with good things and the rich he has sent empty away) is adapted to “The first shall be last, the last shall be first” flowing directly into the Latin Suscepit Israel puerum suum (He has helped his servant Israel). The final verse Sicut locutus est…. (As is was spoken to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed for ever), refers to Abraham and his wife Sara; “the barren shall bear fruit” in Genesis 17:19 and 26: 4 in reference to verses 47-48 of the Magnificat. The Gloria Patri is removed since this Magnificat can be used in more than a liturgical setting. In the diagram below, one can see how I have related the musical elements to support the text. |
|
1 |
|
7 |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
6 |
|
5 |
|
4 |
|
Freedom |
|
Barren will bear fruit |
|
Sing, Celebrate, Awe |
|
Strength and Exultation |
|
Humbleness, Chosen servant |
|
Barren will bear fruit, Mary and Elizabeth = Sara |
|
Proclamation |
|
“Mary's prayer is revealed to us at the dawning of the fullness of time. Before the Incarnation of the Son of God, and before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, her prayer cooperates in a unique way with the Father's plan of loving kindness: at the Annunciation, for Christ's conception; at Pentecost, for the formation of the Church, His Body. In the faith of His humble handmaid, the Gift of God found the acceptance He had awaited from the beginning of time. She whom the Almighty made "full of grace" responds by offering her whole being: "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to Thy word". "Fiat": this is Christian prayer: to be wholly Gods' because He is wholly ours.” [CCC 2617]
Michael E. Ekbladh |
|
DOWNLOAD SAMPLE PAGES |
|
BUY YOUR COPY TODAY |
