- Audio CD (Jan 23 1996)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Koch Int'l Classics
- ASIN: B000001SIX
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
Product Details
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| 1. Mass For The Restoration Of St. Luke In The Fields: Symphonia (Entrance) |
| 2. Mass For The Restoration Of St. Luke In The Fields: Kyrie |
| 3. Mass For The Restoration Of St. Luke In The Fields: Gloria |
| 4. Mass For The Restoration Of St. Luke In The Fields: Sanctus |
| 5. Mass For The Restoration Of St. Luke In The Fields: Agnus Dei |
| 6. Mass For The Restoration Of St. Luke In The Fields: Communion Motet |
| 7. Mass For The Restoration Of St. Luke In The Fields: Symphonia (Exit) |
| 8. A Solis Ortu |
| 9. Ave Christe: Josquin |
| 10. Genesis: I. Invocation |
| 11. Genesis: First Interlude: Meditation |
| 12. Genesis: II. Creation History |
| 13. Genesis: Second Interlude: Cosmology |
| 14. Genesis: III. Doxology |
The Mass for the Restoration of St. Luke's In The Fields was written for the rededication of this Episcopal Church in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. A joint choir of St. Luke's and St. Ignatius of Antioch premiered it. The work is meant for liturgical use, but only by a fine parish choir. Scored to choir, organ, trombones and violin, the Mass resembles nothing so much as the late work of Stravinsky. There is almost an air of the Renaissance in the work, though it is thoroughly serial. Wuorinen's serial music is rigorous, but points out the fallacy of considering 12 tone music "atonal". Tonalities slip in and out of the ear with great frequency, but they are there nonetheless. The Kyrie is a very moving movement, The Gloria as exuberant a 12 tone piece as I have ever heard, the Sanctus and Agnus Dei are hushed and spiritual, and there is a beautiful communion motet in English. There are also two instrumental movements that one presumes must function as prelude and postlude. All-in-all this is an amazing piece of liturgical music...highly modern and yet completely appropriate for worship.
The second major work on the disc is Genesis, an oratorio for choir and orchestra. Texts to this work are mostly in Latin and taken from texts which refer to the creation story. The musical idiom is more dissonant and conventionally 12 tone, but the vibrant rhythms and strong melodic profile make this an astounding work, perhaps the strongest oratorio written in the last 20 years. And in the final section, where the choir begins an extended "alleluia" the material is ecstatic....a strange but true description for this 12 tone work.
The smaller works are quite charming as well. The motet is lovely, very much of a piece with the idiom of the Mass. The piano work is more unusual. It is a subtle reworking or piano of a motet by Josquin, one which does nothing more than to create a true piano work out of the choir work.
This is a tremendous disc. Highly recommended.
His setting of the Mass is wonderful. I found the Kyrie deeply moving. Genesis too is a powerful account of the story of creation. The final movement of Genesis is an absoultely thrilling piece of music.
This recording is a wonderful introduction to Wuorinen and his music. I reccommend it highly.
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