Gloria from Missa Brevis

Conductor Notes:

SSA a cappella. A bright, compact,and very effective setting of the Gloria. Tessituras are healthy and frequent use of octaves creates a sense of grandeur in this 3-part texture. The “gratias agimus tibi” section uses a sequence of 6/8, 4/4, and 9/8 measures. “Domine Deus, Rex Coelestis” is in 7/8. Rhythmic accuracy is this piece’s biggest challenge. Published only as part of the whole Missa Brevis, all of which is strong.

Text:

Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus sanctus. Tu solus Dominus. Tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

Translation:

Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace to all those of good will. We praise thee. We bless thee. We worship thee. We glorify thee. We give thanks to thee according to thy great glory. Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father. Thou who takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us Thou who takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou alone art holy. Thou alone art the Lord. Thou alone art the most high, Jesus Christ. With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.