Instrumentation

cl (or ob) - org - 2 vln.vla.vlc

Availability

Score and parts on special sale from the Hire Library (hire@fabermusic.com)

Programme Notes

The profound words for Mysterium amoris come from the Benedictine monk John Main, a twentieth-century mystic and contemplative writer. The music opens with a downward cascade of sounds on the clarinet. This is taken up by the oboe intoning angular phrases depicting the restless mind which only comes to rest when it sinks into the sound of the strings as they rise and fall in waves of confirming harmony. The entrance of the choir sings of the mystery of love. The oboe then leads the music into an unaccompanied choral section where the choir sing of the roots of love holding the ground of our being together. From this the oboe is drawn again into expressions of restlessness but again finds repose. A second unaccompanied choral section leads to a recapitulation ending with a contemplative affirmation of the mystery of love.

Mysterium amoris

WCPE (USA)

Gaudete Ensemble/Eamonn Dougan