Alan Smith

Gloria in excelsis Deo

This piece, written in 2008, is a setting of the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Mass, although it is intended for concert rather than liturgical use. The celebratory nature of the text is underlined by the scoring which uses an accompaniment of organ, brass, and percussion, though it is possible to perform the work using only an organ accompaniment. This work is broadly in three sections. Following an opening fanfare, the first section (beginning at m. 13) features rhythmic interplay between 3/4 and 6/8 time signatures. The music is largely declamatory and homophonic, although there is some counterpoint between the voices at the words 'in terra pax. ' The second section (beginning at m. 109) is slower, and there is less rhythmic tension, with the music being initially in a flowing 3/2 before moving to 4/4 at the words 'Qui tollis peccata mundi. ' This section makes considerable use of a cappella voices, which heightens the contrast with the outer sections. The third section (beginning at m. 178) is basically a repeat of the first, but shortened by omitting some of the repeated material. The music builds to the coda at m. 252, ending the piece in dramatic climax.