Glenn Buhr
Ritchot Mass
Works Info
Composer:Glenn BuhrStyle:MassAverage_duration:15:44Movement_count:4Movement ....The Ritchot Mass is a choral work composed by Canadian composer Glenn Buhr. It was commissioned by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and premiered on May 2, 1997, at the St. Norbert Arts Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The work is named after the rural municipality of Ritchot, located just south of Winnipeg. The Ritchot Mass is divided into six movements, each of which is based on a different section of the traditional Latin Mass. The first movement, Kyrie, is characterized by its haunting, ethereal quality, with the choir singing in a slow, mournful tempo. The second movement, Gloria, is more upbeat and celebratory, with the choir and orchestra coming together in a joyful, exuberant sound. The third movement, Credo, is perhaps the most complex and challenging of the six. It features intricate choral harmonies and a driving, rhythmic pulse that builds to a powerful climax. The fourth movement, Sanctus, is more subdued, with the choir singing in a hushed, reverent tone. The fifth movement, Agnus Dei, is a beautiful and moving piece that showcases the choir's ability to sing in a delicate, almost fragile manner. The final movement, Ite, Missa Est, is a triumphant conclusion to the work, with the choir and orchestra coming together in a grand, majestic sound. Overall, the Ritchot Mass is a stunning example of contemporary choral music. It combines traditional elements of the Latin Mass with modern compositional techniques to create a work that is both timeless and innovative. Buhr's use of complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and soaring melodies make the Ritchot Mass a true masterpiece of choral music.More....