Suite from Gloria
The Latin text of the Gloria is an ancient hymn of praise from the Christian tradition derived from the song of the angels who announce the birth of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel according to St Luke. The Gloria has formed part of the Ordinary of the Mass for many centuries, and in that context has been set by many composers; there are also independent settings by Handel, Vivaldi and Poulenc. But the opportunity to work with such an iconic text also afforded me an opportunity to explore how other religions perceive the Divine. This is an ongoing feature of my work, from the multi-faceted The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, the Japanese haiku in my Requiem to the ancient Arabic text in my Stabat Mater.
Originally scored for choir, orchestra and ethnic percussion, Karl Jenkins’ Gloria received its world premiere on November 7th 2010 at the Royal Albert Hall, and was recorded in the same year by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Karl Jenkins.
This version for brass band was arranged and edited by Andrew Wainwright and Robert Childs, and received its premiere on November 16th 2014 at The Sage, Gateshead, performed by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band conducted by Robert Childs.
The work is in five movements:
I. The Proclamation: Gloria in Excelsis Deo
The Proclamation begins with a rousing fanfare featuring antiphonal cornet choirs, before unison plainchant introduces melodic lines for solo cornet, flugel horn and tutti band. The movement closes with a return to the fanfare style.
II. The Prayer: Laudamus Te
The Prayer is typical of Karl Jenkins; serenely beautiful and lyrical in style. This movement features various soloists and works well in isolation.
III. The Psalm: Tehellim – Psalm 150
The Psalm is vibrant and high-paced, featuring ethnic-style percussion. Virtuosic in nature, the movement also makes use of the antiphonal cornet choirs.
IV. The Song: I’ll Make Music
The song represents the ‘Golden Selection’ of the suite and is presented here as a cornet solo. Like The Prayer, this heavenly music is also effective as a stand-alone concert item.
V. The Exaltation: Domine Deus
The Exaltation follows the same form as The Proclamation. With a lyrical middle section featuring solo horn, flugel and solo cornet, the start and finish make use once again of brilliant antiphonal cornet choirs.
The piece features on the Prima Vista Musikk CD, Grimethorpe Entertain.