Movements from my "Gloria Brevis"

[Majesty]

Originally Posted by reith

Sorry! I've been a bit busy and trying to squeeze in a bit of composing (to no useful avail, I have to say). Holidays are coming up soon.
Thank you for explaining the quartal chords.... I have to admit never quite looking at chords in that way though I've used them.

Gratias.
This is quite a different mood from the earlier sections. May I ask if you changed the title to "Gloria Caribana"? Just that I didn't see that when I first heard these pieces. Gratias comes over Caribbean, certainly more than the rest. Again, interesting twists to the harmony between 0'40" and 0'50". Well, I shouldn't wait for the surprises but I know they'll be there.
I liked the quietening at around 1'25". Nice coda too.

Altogether nice.
So...is this complete now?

No need to apologize. I've greatly appreciated all your comments. The work is almost done. I had sent the scores to the conductor of the chorus and it was reviewed as to grand and difficult for the current choral forces

So, instead I will try to contact other conductors who might be interested in this chamber version.

The name change from "Gloria Brevis" to "Gloria Caribana" is kind of a long story and I was hoping no one would ask, but here goes


When I first started the piece I really intended to have very short movements with some Caribbean influences as far as melody only. Then, I remembered that the women's chorus I was writing for is in Toronoto, Canada and every summer the Caribbean community holds its "Caribana" festival much like the "Carnival" festival in the Caribbean. I thought that the title would strike a chord with all the citizens of Toronoto and even more so once the music was experienced. As far as the "Gratias" movement having a stronger Caribbean sound, the strength of the Caribbean influence varies in each movement and I'll give and outline below of how.

Caribbean Influence outline:

1) Gloria in excelsis - This movement is a Euro centric/modern sounding movement. By using the quartal chords for a more "open" sound I was trying to give the impression of an open air/out doors civilization about to begin a ceremonial affair and that ceremonial affair. The "eruo centric" sound reflects the european (French, Spanish, British, etc) influences that are a part of the Caribbean.

2) Et in terra pax - This movement uses the pentatonic scale exclusively in the chorus. I change tonalities/keys but always using the 5 notes of the pentatonic scale (Do, Re, Mi, So, La,). Other notes are present in the organ. The timpani uses two different rhythmic patterns for a more Caribbean meloncholy fee (for some obvious reasons)l that was common to the African and Amerindian mix. In fact no matter the movement or the key the timpani plays only the notes of the C Major Pentatonic scale.

3) Laudamus te - The Caribbean influence here is strictly rhythmic. The rhythm is in the timpani, the vocal lines and sometimes in the organ. Certain phrases are assigned rhythmic duties.

4) Gratias - In this movement I choose to use a specific Caribbean rhythmic dance patterns while employing the pentatonic scale in the soprano solo exclusively. The chorus dodges in and out of the pentatonic sound. This combination is probably why this movement seems the most Caribbean. Also, I choose to throw so many combinations into this movement because of the title of the movement. "Gratia" is so close to the "Gracias" I felt I had to use a dance rhythm that was common to the French, English and Spanish speaking islands.

I hope this helps even more. The remaining movements that I'm finishing will more or less echo the ideas from some of these movements. I will also post them as well. I feel that maybe the reverb may make it difficult to hear the rhythmic movemets in the timpani and other parts as well.

The SATB-Orchestral version will have more percussion activity that I am looking forward to.

[Majesty]

Two more movements from my Gloria...

Here is Domine Deus. It resembles the "et in terra pax" movement.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=5687774

Here is the Quonium tu solus. It is really the opening "Gloria" now with Caribbean rhythms in the timpani to symbolize how the Caribbean slaves would often take the euro-centric music and add african rhythms.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/song...songID=5687781


The final movement (Cum Sancto Spiritu) is on its way.

Hope you all enjoy.