Composer

:

Philip Stopford

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

10:40

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Belfast Centenary Eucharist is a choral work composed by Philip Stopford to commemorate the 100th anniversary of St. Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The piece was commissioned by the cathedral and premiered on June 2, 2004, during a special service to celebrate the centenary. The Eucharist is divided into six movements, each reflecting a different aspect of the liturgy. The first movement, "Kyrie," is a solemn plea for mercy and forgiveness, with the choir singing in unison and gradually building to a climax. The second movement, "Gloria," is a joyful hymn of praise, with the choir and organ alternating in a call-and-response pattern. The third movement, "Sanctus," is a reverent and ethereal setting of the traditional text, with the choir singing in harmony and the organ providing a gentle accompaniment. The fourth movement, "Benedictus," is a contemplative and introspective piece, with the choir singing in a hushed and prayerful manner. The fifth movement, "Agnus Dei," is a plaintive and mournful setting of the text, with the choir singing in a minor key and the organ providing a somber accompaniment. The final movement, "Nunc Dimittis," is a triumphant and exultant setting of the canticle, with the choir and organ combining in a grand and majestic finale. The Belfast Centenary Eucharist is characterized by its rich and lush harmonies, its use of traditional liturgical texts, and its incorporation of both solemn and joyful elements. The piece is a testament to Stopford's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both spiritually uplifting and musically satisfying.

More....