Folk Mass
Mark O'Connor
About this work:
Mark O'Connor is well known for his violin/fiddle playing as well as his solo, chamber, and orchestral compositions featuring the violin. But you will find on this disc Mr. O'Connor's two major choral works. The
recording features the Orleans, Massachusetts based choir, Gloriea Dei Cantores. They were the commissioning and premiering organization for
both pieces as well.
It is interesting how O'Connor and Gloriea met. It seems that members of the choir attended one of O'Connor's solo recitals at Jordan Hall, Boston, MA around 1997, and they were moved to ask him about composing
for them. What has transpired from that meeting are his "Let Us Move" (1999) featuring chorus and violin obligato and using the text from the Hymn "Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise." And his more recent Folk Mass,
an a capella work that was composed in response to the 9/11 attacks on the United States in 2001. The Folk Mass text is taken entirely from the Books Of The Old Testament and is composed in seven movements.
O'Connor's Folk Mass may turn out to be one of his most significant contributions. Full of glorious melody and harmony with as many as eight parts in a double choir configuration, he takes the stories of the Old Testament and brings them to music. Music full of drama, emotion and celebration throughout the 45-minute work using the text as his artistic guide. A unique work and a unique achievement.
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 00:45:00
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices
Instrumentation: