Original Compositions / English Translations of Art Songs & Arias / Program Notes

Missa pro defunctis

Mass for the Departed (Requiem Mass, 1990-1991)

For soloists (SATB), mixed chorus, organ, and instrumental ensemble (Latin & English words)

Dedicated to victims of terminal illness, in memory of my mother

1991 performance by the Riverside Presbyterian Chancel Choir (Jacksonville, Fla.)

with members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

Youtube playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HmICPQlBDY&list=PLSZsG7E4h4WFVMJJYAtcjKkvKVMQUxX86

(The first Youtube video below is programed to play through all the movements consecutively)

I. INTROITUS

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,

et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem.

Exaudi orationem meam,

ad te omnis caro veniet.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Grant them an eternal resting place, O Lord,

and shine perpetual light upon them.

A hymn from Zion befits You, O God,

And to You shall be sworn a vow in Jerusalem.

Hear my prayer,

for unto You all flesh shall come.

Grant them an eternal resting place, O Lord,

and shine perpetual light upon them.

II. KYRIE

Kyrie, eleison.

Christe, eleison.

Kyrie, eleison.

Lord, show mercy.

Christ, show mercy.

Lord, show mercy.

III. OFFERTORIUM (Domine Jesu Christe)Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae,libera animas omnium fideliumdefunctorum de poenis inferniet de profundo lacu.Libera eas de ore leonis,ne absorbeat eas Tartarus,ne cadant in obscurum.Sed signifer sanctus Michaelrepraesentet eas in lucem sanctam.Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.
Hostias et preces tibi, Domine,laudis offerimus.Tu suscipe pro animabus illis,quaram hodie memoriam facimus.Fac eas, Domine,de morte transire ad vitam.Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.
Lord Jesus Christ, Glorious King,Deliver the souls of all the faithfuldeparted from the pains of Helland from the fathomless lake.Deliver them from the lion's jaws,that they be neither devoured by the depths of Hell,nor swallowed into darkness.Thus, the holy standard-bearer Michaelmay usher them into the sacred light.As once was promised Abraham and his heirs.
Sacrifices and prayers to You, O Lord,we offer in praise.Accept them on behalf of those soulswhom today we commemorate.Permit them, O Lord,to pass beyond death into life.As once was promised Abraham and his heirs.

IV. SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth! Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria Tua!Hosanna in excelsis!Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domine.Hosanna in excelsis!
Holy, holy, holy, O Lord God of the Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory!Hosanna in the highest!Blessed be Who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest!

V. PIE JESU DOMINE

Pie Jesu Domine,

dona eis requiem.

Dona eis sempiternam requiem. Amen.

Merciful Lord Jesus,

Provide them a place of rest.

Provide them a place of eternal rest. Amen.

VI. AGNUS DEI

Agnus Dei, qui tollispeccata mundi,dona eis requiem.Agnus Dei, qui tollispeccata mundi,dona eis requiem.Agnus Dei, qui tollispeccata mundi,dona eis requiem sempiternam
Lamb of God, Who bearsthe sins of humankind,grant them a place of rest.Lamb of God, Who bearsthe sins of humankind,grant them a place of rest.Lamb of God, Who bearsthe sins of humankind,grant them everlasting rest.

VII. COMMUNIO

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine,

cum sanctis tuis in aeternum,

quia pius es.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine,

et Lux perpetua luceat eis,

cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum,

quia pius es.

Shine eternal light upon them, O Lord,

among Your saints throughout eternity,

for You are merciful.

Grant them an eternal resting place, O Lord,

and shine perpetual light upon them,

among Your saints throughout eternity,

for You are merciful.

WHO ARE THESE LIKE STARS APPEARING?

TEXT: Heinrich Theobald Schenk (1719); trans.: Frances Elizabeth Cox (1812-1897), alt.

Who are these like stars appearing,These before God's throne who stand?Each a golden crown is wearing;Who are all this glorious band?Alleluia! hark, they sing,Praising loud their heav'nly King.
Who are these of dazzling brightness,These in God's own truth arrayed,Clad in robes of purest whiteness,Robes whose lustre ne'er shall fade,Ne'er be touched by time's rude hand?Whence come all this glorious band?
These are they whose hearts were riven,Sore with woe and anguish tried,Who in prayer full oft have strivenWith the God they glorified;Now, their painful conflict o'er,God has bid them weep no more.
These like priests have watched and waited,Off'ring up to Christ their will;Soul and body consecrated,Day and night to serve him still:Now in God's most holy placeBlest they stand before his face.

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