Alexander CAMPKIN True Light Missa Brevis • The First Kiss O Lord, in thee is all my trust Glorious, beauteous, golden-bright Colin Spinks, Organ Tristan Fry, Tam-tam vOx Chamber Choir David Crown Alexander Alexander Campkin (b. 1984) Choral Works 1 CAM(b. 1P984K) IN Alexander Campkin studied at the University of Oxford, the Part I: In the Beginning Royal Academy of Music and the University of Music and In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Performing Arts in Vienna, and was elected an Associate God, and the Word was God. The same was in the Choral Works of the Royal Academy of Music in 2014. His music, praised beginning with God. All things were made by him; and True Light (version for choir, organ and tam-tam) (2011) 20:22 by Gramophone magazine, has been performed and without him was not anything made that was made. In him (Text: Bible – New Testament: John 1.1–14) broadcast in over two hundred countries, including at the was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light 1 Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam Concertgebouw and shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it 2 Part I: In the Beginning 6:56 Tokyo Opera City Hall. He was commissioned by not. 3 Part II: Witness of Light 7:27 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to compose a piece 2 Part III: The Word 5:59 for the 2018 BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Part II: Witness of Light Other commissioners of his work include the Royal Opera There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. Missa Brevis (2009) House, The Tallis Scholars, London Mozart Players and The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the (Text: Ordinary of the Mass) the Vokalkapelle der Theatinerkirche Munich. Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not 4 that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That Kyrie 2:53 www.alexandercampkin.com was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh 5 into the world. The First Kiss (2015) 9:02 True Light (2011) 3 (Text: Strato of Lampsacus, c. 335–269 BC, Part III: The Word True Light was commissioned by Hamish Pringle for He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and translated by Sydney Oswald [Sydney Lomer], 1880–1926) Birmingham Cathedral and was first performed in 2011 by the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his Birmingham Cathedral Choir and the Royal Ballet own received him not. But as many as received him, to Missa Brevis Sinfonia. It sets John 1.1 –14, the well-loved passage of them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to 6 (Text: Ordinary of the Mass) scripture that starts ‘In the beginning was the Word, and them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but 7 Gloria 7:02 Sanctus 3:36 True Light opens with an energetic, lively and of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among majestic soundworld. As the music begins, the choir sings us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only 8 joyfully in celebration of this incredible text. The central begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Amen. O Lord, in thee is all my trust (2013) 6:00 section of the piece, Part II: Witness of Light , is a more (Text: Anonymous, from The Lamentation of a Sinner , c. 1539) introspective and meditative moment. Rt Revd David The Gospel of St John 1:1–14 ‘The Word’ Urquhart Bishop of Birmingham explained his Missa Brevis understanding of how the section from ‘There was a man Missa Brevis (2009) sent from God’ describes the personal and prophetic (Text: Ordinary of the Mass) 9 identity of John the Baptist. A solo soprano peacefully During Mass at Pusey House, Oxford, one Sunday 0 Benedictus 4:11 soars above the choir in the musical climax of this section. morning in April, a bright ray of sunlight streamed through Agnus Dei 4:40 Part III: The Word returns to the opening sound of the the windows, illuminating the altar, its direct beam composition, gradually building to the final climax on ‘full piercing clouds of moving incense. This highly evocative, ! Glorious, beauteous, golden-bright (2018) 5:43 of grace and truth’, which completes the revelation of symbolic moment provided the inspiration for the Missa Christ as God on earth. The piece closes with a very quiet Brevis . In this Mass setting there is the sustaining of a (Text: Anna M.E. Nichols, 19th century) setting of ‘Amen’ led by the solo soprano. single pitch, around which faster notes move. At times 9 these faster notes overlap or collide with this central, Cum Sancto Spiritu, Benedictus privately printed by ‘Sydney Oswald’, a nom de plume of sustained note, as the ebb and flow of tension builds and in gloria Dei Patris. the poet and soldier Sydney Lomer (1880–1926). The releases. This sustained pitch represents the ray of Amen. Benedictus qui venit piece is scored for double choir accompanied by organ or sunlight shining towards the altar. This Mass setting was in nomine Domini. string orchestra. It was commissioned by the Fourth written for the acoustic and sound of the Pusey House Glory be to God on high, Hosanna in excelsis. Choir, conducted by Dominic Peckham. This commission Chapel, choir and organ. Missa Brevis was commissioned and in earth peace, good will towards men. was made possible through the generosity of Francis by Pusey House, Oxford, for the 125th anniversary Blessed is he that cometh Nwokedi in loving memory of his brother Victor Nwokedi. celebrations of the foundation of the House in 2009. We praise thee, we bless thee, in the name of the Lord. 4 we worship thee, we glorify thee, Hosanna in the highest. When the hour drew nigh Kyrie we give thanks to thee for thy great glory. 0 at which we say farewell, O Lord God, heavenly King, Agnus Dei My Moeris kissed my lips, Kyrie eleison. God the Father Almighty. in dream or truth I cannot tell; Christe eleison. Agnus Dei, But if the kiss divine were real, Kyrie eleison. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ: qui tollis peccata mundi, then this indeed I know, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, miserere nobis. My joyous soul no more Lord have mercy upon us. that takest away the sins of the world, on earth can wander in Christ have mercy upon us. have mercy upon us. Agnus Dei, Lord have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, qui tollis peccata mundi, Thy eyes are sparks, god-like made, 6 have mercy upon us. miserere nobis. Or rather rays, that send forth flame; Gloria Thou that takest away the sins of the world, To look thee in the face I cannot claim, receive our prayer. Agnus Dei, So fierce a fire thy eyes have on me played. Gloria in excelsis Deo Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, qui tollis peccata mundi, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. have mercy upon us. dona nobis pacem. Strato of Lampsacus, (c. 335–269 BC), translated by Sydney Oswald Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. For thou only art holy; O Lamb of God, (Sydney Lomer) (1880–1926) Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. thou only art the Lord; that takest away the sins of the world, 8 Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. thou only, O Christ, have mercy upon us. O Lord, in thee is all my trust (2013) Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, with the Holy Ghost, Deus Pater omnipotens. art the Most High in the glory of God the Father. O Lamb of God, A setting of an old English hymn, O Lord, in thee is all my trust Amen. that takest away the sins of the world, uses phrases in which the voices freely repeat fragments, to Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe, 7 have mercy upon us. evoke spacious atmospheres and soundworlds. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Sanctus Qui tollis peccata mundi, O Lamb of God, O Lord, in thee is all my trust, miserere nobis; Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, that takest away the sins of the world, give ear unto my woeful cries. Qui tollis peccata mundi, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. grant us thy peace. Refuse me not, that am unjust, suscipe deprecationem nostram; Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. 5 but bowing down thy heavenly eyes, Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Hosanna in excelsis. The First Kiss (2015) behold how I do still lament miserere nobis. my sins wherein I thee offend. Holy, holy, holy, The First Kiss sets two poignant and daring Epigrams by To thee therefore still shall I cry, Quoniam tu solus sanctus. Lord God of hosts, Greek philosopher Strato, a Greek poet from the 2nd to wash away my sinful crime. Tu solus Dominus. heaven and earth are full of thy glory: century AD who was probably the court poet of the Tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe. Glory be to thee, O Lord most High. Roman emperor Hadrian. The text was translated and ! Haste now, O Lord, haste now, I say, Glorious, beauteous, golden-bright (2018) Colin Spinks to pour on me the gifts of grace, that when this life must flit away, Glorious, beauteous, golden-bright is a Christmas carol Colin Spinks became organ scholar of Brasenose College, Oxford in 1994.