Sunday, January 6, 2013

The Epiphany of the Lord

6 January 2013

EntranceWe three kings
Penitential RiteSt Gabriel (mtgf)
GloriaChristmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 71O Lord, all the earth (mtgf)
Gospel AcclamationSalisbury (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of GiftsIn the bleak midwinter (Darke)
Eucharistic AcclamationsCreation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of GodChristmas Lamb of God (Ebeling/mtgf)
Communion AntiphonWe have seen his star (mtgf)
CommunionBethlehem Down (Warlock)
FinalThe First Nowell

The Christmas Gloria is a rewritten setting - it is based on the melody of Angels we have heard with Gloria in excelsis Deo as a congregational refrain. It has always use the correct text - so is not a paraphrase. To solve the longer new translation the composer inserts an extra 4 bar phrase into each verse - a surprise the first time as it is not what you are expecting but you get accustomed. I highlight the setting because first of all it shouts (or perhaps sings) that we are still in the Christmas season. It is one of a number attempts to use this melody and is on the good side of 'naff' - an indigence perhaps but it works. (A side effects is that we never therefore use Angels we have heard or Ding, dong merrily on high). The other reason for mentioning it - and I haven't done a detailed analysis - but it does manage to set the text as a regular 6 phrases/3 verses. I wonder if there is a model or inspiration for looking to write a popular, family Gloria (you know what I mean). I confess that I am not on the lookout for one but I suspect many parishes are - and it seems to me this is a lacunae which composers have not yet filled.

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