|
Composer
Jessica Nelson
Text Julian of Norwich; Ubi Caritas, antiphon for Maundy Thursday
Voicing SATB, organ
Topic Love, Maundy Thursday
Price $2.75 (U.S.)
Released 6/24 Cat. no. 420-304
Difficulty Mod. difficult
|
Order now!
Order PDF download!
Min. of 5
Description
Phrases of the plainchant Ubi caritas serve as incipit and coda for this atmospheric anthem. A series of quiet ostinatos in the organ provide a largely hushed, but rich backdrop over which the voices sing words from Julian of Norwich. A short, imitative middle unaccompanied section provides a midpoint climax.
From the composer
This was commissioned by Christ Church Cathedral New Orleans for the consecration of Bishop Shannon Rogers Duckworth as the 12th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Bishop Duckworth has long been inclined to the writings of Julian of Norwich, an English mystic best known for her Revelations of Divine Love. I chose this bit of text and bookended it with the first line of the Latin hymn Ubi caritas--traditionally sung at the footwashing on Maundy Thursday. There was something strangely appropriate to me about connecting the wholehearted humility of footwashing with the ministry of a bishop.
|
|
Review
"Two voices (or a small group) begin the anthem with the first phrase of the Ubi caritas in Latin. The organ then enters with glittering cascades of eighth notes above slowly arpeggiated stark harmonies in the left hand, all on celestes. Treble voices reenter in long note values singing the words of Julian of Norwich as the organ continues its undulating figuration. Tenors and basses enter singing in canon with homophonic cadences for all four
voices. The organ figuration shifts into different patterns while maintaining
the unbroken eighth-note motion.
An extended unaccompanied section features overlapping entrances, repeated melodic gestures, and steady motion to set the words "we are endlessly bound," painting the intertwining of the text.
As intensity builds, the organ resumes
its figuration, building to an ecstatic climax with voices in fortissimo unison. A final phrase of denouement recedes in dynamic and tempo, answered by tenors singing the second phrase of the Ubi caritas and leading to a final cadence on a pianissimo ninth chord. Sopranos divide throughout the anthem, and the addedtone harmonies that do not operate along conventional harmonic progressions pose challenges for singers. The aural logic of the voice leading, attractive musical effect, and the support of the organ all mitigate these factors, keeping this work well within the abilities of most church choirs." --AAM Journal, May/Junee 2025
Anthem text
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Without love, we cannot live.
Our life is all grounded
and rooted to God in love,
and we are endlessly bound to God in love.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. |
