Composer

:

Frank Ferko

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1997 - 1998

Average_duration

:

54:22

Movement_count

:

28

Movement ....

Frank Ferko's 'Stabat Mater' is a choral work that was composed in 1996. It premiered on March 16, 1997, at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Chicago, Illinois. The piece is divided into ten movements, each of which is based on a different verse of the medieval hymn 'Stabat Mater Dolorosa,' which describes the sorrow of Mary as she stands at the foot of the cross of her son, Jesus. The first movement, 'Stabat Mater Dolorosa,' sets the tone for the entire piece with its mournful and contemplative melody. The second movement, 'Cuius Animam Gementem,' features a solo soprano voice that sings a haunting melody over a choral background. The third movement, 'Quis Est Homo Qui Non Fleret,' is a duet between two solo voices that expresses the grief and pain of the crucifixion. The fourth movement, 'Eia Mater Fons Amoris,' is a choral piece that celebrates Mary's love for her son and her willingness to suffer with him. The fifth movement, 'Fac Ut Ardeat Cor Meum,' is a solo aria that expresses the desire for a deeper understanding of the passion of Christ. The sixth movement, 'Sancta Mater, Istud Agas,' is a choral prayer that asks Mary to intercede on behalf of the faithful. The seventh movement, 'Fac Ut Portem Christi Mortem,' is a solo aria that expresses the desire to share in the suffering of Christ. The eighth movement, 'Inflammatus Et Accensus,' is a choral piece that celebrates the power of the Holy Spirit to transform and inspire. The ninth movement, 'Quando Corpus Morietur,' is a duet between two solo voices that expresses the hope of eternal life. The final movement, 'Amen,' is a choral piece that brings the work to a close with a sense of peace and resolution. Throughout the piece, Ferko's use of rich harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive melodies creates a powerful and moving musical experience that captures the emotional depth and spiritual significance of the 'Stabat Mater' text.

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