Grand Motets for the Sacred Triduum

Joseph Bertolozzi

About this work:
Written between 1988-1995 for chorus, soloists and large orchestra with organ, the Grand Motets are designed to be performed either as a concert suite or separately according to their liturgical functions on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. In the Roman Catholic tradition, the main worship services for these three days are known as The Triduum and are actually components of one large service spread across three days. Their scale makes them particularly suited for solemn observances in large spaces, where they can unfold in an unhurried atmosphere. The first movement, "Hail, True Body" (based on the "Ave Verum Corpus" text), and is dedicated to the singers & musicians of the Music Program [1985-1991] at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, Fishkill, NY, for whom the piece was written. The second movement, "The Reproaches" is dedicated to Fr. John Albino, Fr. Bob Calabrese, Fr. Paul Chovanec, Bro. Hilary Rodgers, Fr. Luke McCann, Rev. Michael Webber, Rev. Henry Wuertz, Valerie Feit, Mark and Betsy Lawlor, Sarah and Paul Patterson, David and Randi Petrovits, and Sheila & Sarah. Thank you for your help. J.B. 7/11/95. The third movement "Mary, Queen of Heaven" connects the joyful Easter Alleluias to Christ's mother Mary, patroness of the church for which this piece was written. This music is also dedicated to the Music Ministry at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, and can use the chorus & orchestra spatially separated into two groups plus an antiphonal trio of trumpeters, and an antiphonal "echo duo" of two sopranos. This spatially separated performance practice is how this movement was premiered on March 25, 1989. TEXTS: 1. HAIL, TRUE BODY (Text adapted by Joseph Bertolozzi from "Ave Verum Corpus," ascribed to Pope Innocent VI, d. 1362) Hail, true body, Born of Mary by a wondrous virgin birth. Slain on the cross to redeem us, to save us: Dying on the cross to save us, To redeem the Sons of Earth. Blood flowed from You as they pierced You, Be our food in time of death. O sweet Jesus, Gracious Jesus, Jesus son of Mary, Have mercy on us. 2. THE REPROACHES (Text adapted by Joseph Bertolozzi from "The Improperia," from the Roman Catholic Liturgy for Good Friday.) My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me. I planted you as my fairest vine, But you yielded only bitterness. From slavery in Egypt to freedom I led you, I fed you manna, I brought you through deserts to The Land I Love. For forty years I led you safely, But you led your Saviour to the Cross. What more could I have done for you? With saving water from the rock I cooled your throats, O but in my thirst you gave me vinegar and gall. Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal one, have mercy on us! Answer me my people, How have I offended you? What have I done to you? Honor, Praise, Blessing; Sweet Faithful, Glorious Cross, Tree whose Flower saved the world. Offerings, Laud, Worship, Veneration, Homage, Tribute, Adoration. Reverence, Honor, Glory. My people, what have I done to you? Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal one, have mercy on us! I led you out of Egypt from slavery to freedom, But you led your Saviour to the Cross. I gave you a royal throne, But you gave me a crown of thorns. I opened the sea before you, But you opened my side with a spear. I raised you to the heights of majesty, But you have raised me high on a cross! My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me. 3. MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN (Text adapted by Joseph Bertolozzi from the 14th century Latin chant "Regina Caeli" and The Litany of the B.V.M.) Mary, Queen of Heaven, Rejoice, Alleluia! For He whom you were found worthy to bear, Has arisen as He said. Pray for us to Christ our Lord. Alleluia. God, Lord God. Pray for us. Mary, Mother of our Saviour, Virgin of all virgins, Rejoice, Alleluia! Maria, Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Queen of Heaven, Vessel of Honor of the Prince of Peace. Sancta Maria, Alleluia. Mary, Queen of Heaven, Rejoice, Alleluia! For He whom you merited to bear, Rejoice, Alleluia! Has arisen as He said, Alleluia. Pray for us, Alleluia.
Year composed: 1995
Duration: 00:35:00
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices:Chorus with Orchestra
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 1 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Alto Saxophone, 1 Tenor Saxophone, 5 Trumpet, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Timpani, 2 Percussion (General), 1 Organ, 20 Violin, 8 Cello, 4 Double bass, ,3 Soprano soloist(s), 10 S, 20 SS, 20 A, 10 T, 10 B
Instrumentation notes: 3 Oct English handbells; For the third movement the chorus is divided SSA & SATB, which accounts for the large number of sopranos and altos, but the chorus strength is flexible; also there are three antiphonal trumpets, and two antiphonal soloists. If performed as an individual piece on Holy Saturday, the orchestra as well as the chorus should be spatially separated into two groups in addition to the aforementioned antiphonal musicians.

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