Laudate Dominum de caelis

Instrumentation

Soprano solo, 2 Fl, 2Ob, 2Cl, 2 Bn; 2Tr & 2 Hn [natural harmonics]; timps; Strings

Other Information

Laudate Dominum de caelis – soprano soloist (2003) - see complete cantata for more details.

Duration 4:35

This second movement [which can be performed as a separate concert aria] begins with a jaunty chord sequence on the flutes and clarinets in the relative minor key of A minor. In fact, all the keys: A minor & major and A flat minor & major take the initial letter of the Angel. This movement is very loosely based on concerto grosso form in which the themes are treated equally and appear as melody lines, middle harmonies and bass parts in turn. The use of words from Psalm 148 allows for more word-painting than in Psalm 117 and the soloist is treated in a more virtuoso manner and increasing the range from top C to bottom A [see below]. At the end of this movement the Angel Aria theme is heard once more from the soloist and strings before reaching a climax on the last chord.

The accompanying recording is taken from a performance at Derby Cathedral on 5th April 2003 with Emma Kirkby [soprano] and Midland Baroque [leader: Diane Terry]. This insertion aria for Dame Emma´s cantata was written as a showpiece for the orchestra as well as the soloist and contained some very taxing parts but having written for Midland Baroque before with its inspirational leader, Diane Terry, they mastered it brilliantly. This superb orchestra, an expanded group based on the ensemble Musica Domum Dei, contains many of the best talents in the country on authentic instruments with almost all of the players being soloists in their own right.

This movement, written as it was at the end of my time with Derby Choral Union, is dedicated to my marellous musical co-conspirator at Derby: Kate Baker. As my Assistant Musical Director, she supported and encouraged me with her enthusiasm, dedication and sheer musical brilliance. Our collaborations on the Christmas shows in the Derby Assembly Rooms benefited from our joint skills in Musical Theatre. She was such a joy to work with and the Derby Choral Union is still lucky to be connected with such a shining beacon of talent.

Laudate Dominum de caelis: laudate eum in excelsis. Laudate eum omnes angeli eius: laudate eum omnes exercitus eius. Laudate eum sol et luna: laudate omnes stellae luminis. Laudate nomen Domini [from: Psalm 148]

TRANSLATION: O praise the Lord of heaven: praise him in the height. Praise him all ye angels of his: praise him all his host. Praise him sun and moon: praise him all ye stars and light. Praise the name of the Lord. [from: Psalm 148]

The two pages below are from the middle of Dame Emma’s solo aria and show word-painting in the setting of: “Praise him sun and moon: praise him all ye stars and light.” [Dame Emma mentions her low notes in the quote on the left which is why the both the bottom A and top C were performed with such brilliance.] The rest of the score is available from the composer.