Op. 7 Canzona alla terza "Verbum supernum prodiens" (SSA/TTB, Latin) TTBB - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.898552

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Canzona alla terza "Verbum supernum prodiens" was composed late one night after I was inspired by the chant melody as found in the Hymnal 1982, hymn 63. Rather than compose on the computer as I usually do, I wrote by hand as I determined the best four-part canonic treatment for each of the phrases of the chant. Composing this was akin to assembling a puzzle, both in mindset ("this note fits best here") and addictive quality ("need to finish this now!"). Originally conceived as a short organ piece, I quickly chose to add the English text from the Hymnal 1982 then text directly from the Liber Usualis, a Catholic book of Gregorian chants commonly used until the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II).

This piece is similar in style to an Italian Renaissance canzona or early German Baroque kanon. It should be performed with performance practice of those eras in mind, including lifts after dotted notes, metric accents, and minimal vibrato, especially at cadences. Lines that end in a melisma should be performed by singing the final vowel and placing the consonant at the release of the final melisma note. The first verse may be sung in unison or as a solo as printed below. The verses may be sung in alternatum (odd verses, printed below: solo chant, even verses: choir). For a complete translation of the six Latin verses, refer to the next page. In the music’s text, I have retained all accent marks as found in the Liber Usualis. These should help inform text stress. The last two verses are suitable as a Communion anthem.

This SSA Latin version was adapted from the original SATB version for the women of the Hillcrest High School choral program under the direction of Dr. Khristina Motley in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It reduces the original four-voice setting to three voices without sacrificing any canonic entrances. This SSA version is also suitable for performance by an advanced middle school choral ensemble or for TTB men.

Also available as an organ solo or in English. SATB Latin/English versions coming soon!