Notes on Angele Dei…
Recorded Summer 2021; Linahon Studios, Claremont, CA
Seraphour is dedicated to the preservation and proliferation of the unaccompanied Sacred Music Canon – celebrating the female voice seeking that which is true, beautiful and good. We are committed to not only preserving the sacred canon, but championing living composers and commissioning new works. For our debut album, we are featuring several living composers. Our first commission is from Los Angeles-based, Aidan Vass. He is a three-time Young Arts winner and a Los Angeles Philharmonic Young Composer fellow. We are excited about this collaboration and look forward to commissioning a new work/composer with each album we record.
Ubi Caritas Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)
One of Ola Gjielo’s first choral pieces written in 1999, Ubi Caritas was inspired by the composer’s experience performing Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem. Though not based on any existing material, the piece is heavily influenced by Gregorian Chant and Early Music.Composer Bio: http://olagjeilo.com/about/long-bio/
Ubi Caritas
Ubi Caritas et Amor, Deus ibi est Where charity and love are, God is there.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor The love of Christ has gathered us together.
Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero Let us revere and love the living God.
Ubi Caritas et Amor, Deus ibi est Where charity and love are, God is there.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor The love of Christ has gathered us together.
Amen.
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Magnificat quarti toni Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)
Composed in its original form for treble voices, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s (1525-1594) Magnificat quarti toni is a setting of Mary’s famous biblical Canticle. The simple chants interspersed with complex contrapuntal writing are an exercise in contrast that typifies the elegance and beauty of this late Renaissance Master.
Magnificat quarti toni
Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum.
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
Et exultávit spíritus meus: in Deo salutári meo.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllae suae:
Because He hath regarded the humility of His slave:
Ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.
For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Quia fécit mihi mágna qui pótens est: et sánctum nómen eius.
Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name.
Et misericórdia eius in progénies et progénies timéntibus eum.
And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him.
Fécit poténtiam in bráchio suo: dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.
He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
Depósuit poténtes de sede: et exaltávit húmiles.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis: et dívites dimísit inánes.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum: recordátus misericórdiae suae.
He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: Ábraham, et sémini eius in saecula.
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto,
Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forever and ever, Amen.
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Angele Dei Aidan Vass (b. 2003)
Commissioned in 2021 for Seraphour’s debut studio album of the same name, Aidan Vass‘ Angele Dei takes the simple Latin prayer and expands upon it in an exploration of musical color and texture. The text of the piece is presented in an emotionally dynamic manner. There are moments that feel like a modern chorale juxtaposed with sections that weave individual phrases through different parts of the ensemble (creating an effect where one voice starts a sentence and the other voices complete it). In addition, the harmonic language constantly shifts between consonance and dissonance representing the ever changing dynamic of spirituality and the fullness of a life in prayer. What begins as a solitary voice seeking guidance is uplifted by the addition of a community, typifying the one and the many in prayer – the body of Christ.
Composer Bio: https://aidanvass.com/bio/
Angele Dei
ANGELE DEI qui custos es mei, Angel of God, my guardian dear,
Me tibi commissum pietate superna; To whom his love commits me here;
(Hodie, Hac nocte) illumina, custodi, rege, et guberna. Amen. Ever this (day, night) be at my side, To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
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Sicut Cervus Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962)
Contemporary composer, Rosephanye Powell’sis a powerful and ethereal setting of Psalm 42. Structured loosely in a rondo form, the A section is reminiscent of the mysticism and otherworldly quality associated with plainchant. The interspersed sections offer soaring vocal lines and dramatic harmonic writing that evoke the desperation of the text. The contrast in these sections creates a musical effect that is both haunting and meditative.
Composer Bio: http://rosephanyepowell.com/biography/
Sicut Cervus
Sicut cervus desiderat ad fontes aquarum, ita desiderat anima mea ad te Deus. As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Sitívit ánima méa ad Déum fóntem vívum My soul thirsts for God, the living God:
Quándo véniam et apparébo ánte fáciem Déi? When shall I come and appear before God?
Fuérunt míhi láchrymæ méæ pánes díe ac nócte, My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say to me,
dum dícitur míhi quotídie: úbi est Déus túus? Where is thy God?
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Missa Minima Javier Busto (b. 1949)
Spanish composer, Javier Busto’s Missa Minima is a contemporary sacred piece in its purest form. This short setting of the common texts of the Roman Rite respects the simplicity of the prayers and maintains a focus on practical worship. While the expression of rhythmic and melodic exploration are at times, quite dynamic, they are always in service to the utility of the sacred purpose of the piece – a communal prayer.
composer bio: https://www.giamusic.com/store/artists/javier-busto
Missa Minima
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy Christ have mercy Lord have mercy
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Glory to GOD in the highest.
Et in terra pax And on earth peace
hominibus bonæ voluntatis. to people of good will.
Laudamus te; benedicimus te; adoramus te; glorificamus te. We praise You. We bless You. We adore you. We glorify You.
Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. We give You thanks for Your great glory.
Domine Deus, Rex coelestis Deus Pater omnipotens. O Lord GOD, heavenly King, God the Father almighty.
Domine Fili unigenite Jesu Christe. O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son.
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. O Lord GOD, Lamb of GOD, Son of the Father:
Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us
Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Qui sedes ad dextram Patris, O miserere nobis. You sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, For you alone are holy. You alone are the Lord.
tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. You alone, O Jesus Christ, are most high.
Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. Together with the Holy Spirit in the glory of GOD the Father. Amen.
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Holy, holy, holy, Lord, GOD of power and might.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory.
Osanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi,miserere nobis. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world Have mercy on us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world Have mercy on us.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Dona nobis pacem. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world Grant us Peace.
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Ave Maria Jacob Arcadelt (1505-1567)
Though most known for his secular madrigals, Renaissance composer, Jacob Arcadelt held a papal appointment for much of his career at St Peter’s Basilica. His compositional style is influenced both by his Franco-Flemish roots and his studies in Florence. Much of this particular setting is reminiscent of his Madrigal writing. It is assumed that he set the “Ave Maria” text while in residence in Rome which would account for the sacred text. Though not an official part of the Roman Liturgy, “Ave Maria” is a primary prayer in the Roman Catholic Tradition.
Ave Maria
Ave, María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee
Benedicta tu in muliéribus,
Blessed are thou amongst women
et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Sancta María, Mater Dei, Holy Mary, Mother of God,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death. Amen.