James MacMillian's St. Anne's Mass - new words

[Gedackt flute]

Has anyone seen / heard / sung the above. If so - what's it like?

I have contacted B & H, but they say it is not published yet.

[Peter Jones]

Has anyone seen / heard / sung the above. If so - what's it like?

I have not seen the complete setting. B & H kindly sent me a preview of the newly-added Gloria, which is written in a chant style. This sings well, in my opinion.

[Eastern Promise]

As Paul Inwood has said somewhere, there are too many awkward leaps in this Mass (especially the Sanctus) and it shouldn't be used. Why some are persevering with it I just don't know. There is no place for avant-garde composers in the Church.

[NorthernTenor]

As Paul Inwood has said somewhere, there are too many awkward leaps in this Mass (especially the Sanctus) and it shouldn't be used. Why some are persevering with it I just don't know. There is no place for avant-garde composers in the Church.

I don't know why you bring Paul Inwood into it, EP. It's not as if he has anything to do with this comments board, after all.

[alan29]

As Paul Inwood has said somewhere, there are too many awkward leaps in this Mass (especially the Sanctus) and it shouldn't be used. Why some are persevering with it I just don't know. There is no place for avant-garde composers in the Church.

I don't know why you bring Paul Inwood into it, EP. It's not as if he has anything to do with this comments board, after all.

..... and as for the notion that we dictate who belongs in the church according to our musical taste......

[NorthernTenor]

..... and as for the notion that we dictate who belongs in the church according to our musical taste......

You're addressing a point that no-one made, Alan. You might like to consider the offence caused by doing so.

[alan29]

..... and as for the notion that we dictate who belongs in the church according to our musical taste......

You're addressing a point that no-one made, Alan. You might like to consider the offence caused by doing so.

"There is no place for avante-garde composers in the church."

[musicus]

OK.

Back on topic, I went looking for this setting (and others) in the Westminster Cathedral branch of St Paul's Multimedia (are they still called that?) and found only three or four American settings. Buying sight unseen online is all very well, but I do hope that booksellers will be carrying new works, like the one under discussion (and stop offering settings of the 'old' text for sale!), and that right soon.

[Eastern Promise]

[moderated]

[Gedackt flute]

... there are too many awkward leaps in this Mass (especially the Sanctus) and it shouldn't be used. Why some are persevering with it I just don't know. There is no place for avant-garde composers in the Church.

(EP)


I have used this setting over the last 10 years or so in the parish I help out with. One on occassion, the organ broke down in mid-sanctus! (we did not, that Sunday, have guitar & flute to rescue us). However, the choir, and the congregation members who sing (not all!) continued singing this - complete with awkward leaps.

I have been asked to bring the new version along - and because I believe people have used this as prayer I think that this is worth perservering with.

Perhaps this is off-topic, but many [Multis?] composers (Paul Patterson comes to mind) are, in my view, perfectly capable of writing both avant-garde and light, popular works.

[Gedackt flute]

Has anyone used the old setting in their parishes?

[mcb]

Has he ever been on one of our summer schools?

He's been a good friend to the Society - he led a really excellent composers' workshop a few years ago. I'd very much like to see him at Summer School.

[Eastern Promise]

It is a well known fact that ordinary Catholics in the pew, who we know are mostly stupid ( why else would they need to be led by the nose by professional liturgists like us?) cannot sing intervals of a rising minor 6th, a falling minor 6th and, God help us, a falling minor 7th! I mean, who the hell does this man think we are? Anglicans? The BBC Singers? Good Lord....

[Eastern Promise]

Has he ever been on one of our summer schools?

He's been a good friend to the Society - he led a really excellent composers' workshop a few years ago. I'd very much like to see him at Summer School.

I don't think that would go down well with many here, mcb.

And oh, another thing, there are all those mad Scottish rhythms and snaps! Hoots mon, the noooo!!

[NorthernTenor]

Actually, EP, I think you're close enough to target for amusement's sake, but sufficiently wide to tell me you haven't been paying attention on the back row, there, boy [flings chalk]. To begin with, I believe the commentariat is not coterminous with that of the sponsoring Society. Then again, while there is a minority here whose understanding of the ethos of the rite and its music is grounded in ephemeral novelty, there are, I think, many who would appreciate the skill, dedication and sensitivity (liturgical, musical and pastoral) that Mr. Macmillan brings to liturgical music. There is also a spectrum of approach and development between the two.

I remember my first encounter with the St. Anne's Mass, when visiting Pitlochry, and look forward to its re-release. I have had the pleasure of singing a number of MacMillan Scots snatches since then and have grown rather fond of them.