Missa Mensura

The title Missa Mensura translates as 'Measured Mass', a reference to the work's use of mensuration canon. This is a device whereby the speed of each canonic line is directly related to its relative starting pitch. Canons on the same note run at the same speed; a canon an octave below moves at half the speed, a fifth below at two-thirds the speed, and so on. This process is strictly adhered to, albeit with the rhythms 'quantized' to the nearest quaver for both practical and musical reasons.

The work draws in part upon three short canons I had previously written for counter-tenor, two tenors and bass with optional crotales.

 

MISSA MENSURA

(text adapted from the Latin Mass)

Kyrie eleison,
Christe eleison.

Laudamus te,
Benedicimus te,
Adoramus te,
Glorificamus te.
Domine Deus, rex coelestis,
Deus Pater omnipotens.
Domine Fili unigenite,
Jesu Christe, Altissime,
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris,
Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.

Agnus Dei
Miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, filius Patris,
Qui tollis peccata mundi,
Suscipe deprecationem nostrum.
Qui sedes ad dextram Patris,
Miserere nobis.

Quoniam tu solus Dominus,
Quoniam tu solus sanctus,
Quoniam tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe,
Cum sancto spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris.
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.
Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Osanna in excelsis.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria ejus.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Osanna in excelsis.

Agnus Dei
Dona nobis pacem.

MISSA MENSURA

(translation)

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us.

We praise you,
We bless you,
We adore you,
We glorify you.
Lord God, heavenly King,
Father Almighty.
Lord, the only begotten Son,
Jesus Christ, Highest,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
We thank you for your great glory.

Lamb of God
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, son of the Father,
Who takes away the sins of the world,
Receive our prayer.
He who sits at the right hand of the Father,
Have mercy on us.

Because you alone are Lord,
Because you alone are holy,
Because you alone are most high, Jesus Christ,
Together with the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the father.
Glory to God on high
And on earth peace to those of good will.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.
Hosanna in the highest.
Heaven and earth are full of his glory.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Lamb of God
Grant us peace.

Christopher_Best_Missa_Mensura_sample_page_74
How to purchase 

Full score available for FREE download. For performance materials please contact me.

Published 
2024-09-29
Opus 
66
Duration 
c.35 mins
Words by 
Text from the Latin Mass
Instrumentation 
SATB soloists; SATB choir; 2 Trumpets in Bb; Horn in F; Trombone; Tuba; Vibraphone; 2-manual organ (with pedals)
Listen 

Christopher_Best_Missa_Mensura_(simulation).mp3

Simulation playback from the score using NotePerformer 4 (with limited quality choir sound: best followed with the score)