Missa brevis

for mixed chorus and organ

General Information – Performing Forces – Manuscript – Publication – Recordings – Text

General Information:

Composition:
1965–6. Revised slightly in 1968, in order to allow the Sanctus and Benedictus to be performed with an intervening break, as adjustments to the liturgy may require. For concert performance, the earlier version is recommended.

First Performance:
Unknown

Duration:
About 9 minutes

Text:
Ordinary of the Mass, and the Book of Common Prayer.
Click here for the complete text.

Movements:

I.    Kyrie [Andante] [23 m.]
II.    Sanctus and Benedictus    [Andante – Vivo]   [26 m.]
III.    Agnus Dei [Freely] [15 m.]
     IV.    Gloria [Allegro – Vivo]  [123 m.]

Dedication:
"Commissioned by the Friends of Coventry Cathedral for the Choir of the Cathedral."

Craggs Catalogue Number:
C78

Performing Forces:

Mixed chorus (SSATB)
Incidental solos for soprano, two altos, two tenors, and bass

Organ  [in the Gloria only]

Manuscript:

Frederick R. Koch Collection. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Manuscript FRKF 635. Autograph vocal score in pencil. 15 pages.

Publication:

Oxford University Press. Vocal score, 1966, 019 3516101, Oxford Church Services # S577 (discontinued).

Oxford University Press. Edited by Timothy Brown. William Walton Edition, Volume 6, "Shorter Choral Works without Orchestra", 1999, 019 359432 3. Vocal score, 019 359434X.
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: Vocal score]
            [Purchase online from SheetMusicPlus.com: William Walton Edition, Volume 6]

Recordings:

Chorus Conductor Organist Year Compact Disc Timing
Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge Richard Marlow Richard Jackson or
Graham Pearce		 1988 Conifer CDCF 164 8'25"
The Finzi Singers Paul Spicer Andrew Lumsden 1992 Chandos CHAN 9222 8'46"
Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford Stephen Darlington Stephen Farr 1992 Nimbus NI 5364 8'34"
Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge Christopher Robinson Christopher Whitton 2001 Naxos 8.555793 8'30"
Polyphony Stephen Layton James Vivian 2002 Hyperion CDA67330 8'24"

 

Text:

I.  Kyrie

Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.                             
Kyrie eleison.		 [Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.]

II.  Sanctus and Benedictus

Holy, holy holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
Hosanna in the highest.

III.  Agnus Dei

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.

IV.  Gloria

Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men.
We praise thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ;
O Lord, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord;
thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

                        —Ordinary of the Mass, Book of Common Prayer

WilliamWalton.net – Catalogue of Works – Choral Music