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Ubi Caritas (flex)

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James Stephenson

James Stephenson


Subtitle: For 5-Part Adaptable (Flex) Band


General Info

Year: 2019 / 2021
Duration: c. 4:30
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Choir
Publisher: Stephenson Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $45.00; (digital) - $45.00


Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • Violin

Part 2

  • Flute
  • Oboe
  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • Violin

Part 3

  • B-flat Soprano Clarinet
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone
  • B-flat Trumpet
  • Horn in F
  • Violin
  • Viola

Part 4

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Tenor Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Horn in F
  • Cello

Part 5

  • Bassoon
  • B-flat Bass Clarinet
  • E-flat Baritone Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Euphonium
  • Tuba
  • String Bass


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Commissioned – as indicated – in God’s glory.

I know many composers have set this text, and it is my complete honor to have been asked to lend my voice to words of such significance and grace. As always, in my compositions involving text, the most important thing to me is to go where the text wants to go.

In the case of Ubi Caritas, the texts that stuck with me were “Deus ibi est” (God is there), “Exsultemus” (Let us rejoice), “Timeamus” (Let us fear,) “corde…sincero” (a sincere heart), and of course, “Amen”. And so these were the texts I wanted to give the most significance to, either harmonically or by repetition. Furthermore, to me, “Let us rejoice” and “Let us fear”, while sounding like opposites -- when speaking of God -- are actually quite similar. They are both showing humility and reverence. Therefore, when setting these texts (“rejoice” and “fear”), I delve briefly into the keys of A and E-flat, which on first blush seem very remote from one another, but in actuality share quite a bit of commonality (note the third and seventh of each key, which are the same). And each is a minor 3rd from our home key of C major, signifying also an equality amongst them (again, in my mind). To signify a difference between them, the “rejoicing” music always rises, while the “fearing” music falls in mirror fashion.

Also, the initial “Deus ibi est” (God is there) is sung by the sopranos in a very nurturing range. While functioning harmonically as related to our home key of C major, it also sets up the ending, where, when we add some of the men, our final Amens have a bit of completeness, embodying both men and women in honoring God’s glory.

This new adaptable band version is a re-scoring of the original vocal score, in response to the need for flexible rehearsal and performance situations required by the pandemic that began in 2020. With this setting, I wish to encourage legato and reverent playing in wind ensembles, and an encouragement to imitate the sound of voices.

- Program Note by composer


Ubi Caritas or Ubi Caritas et Amor is a hymn of the Western Church, long used as one of the antiphons for the washing of feet on Maundy Thursday. Its text is attributed to Paulinus of Aquileia in 796. The traditional melody probably also stems from the late 8th century.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Latin text

Ubi caritas et amor,
Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum. Christi amor.
Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur.
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Amen.

English translation

Where charity and love are, there God is.
The love of Christ has gathered us into one.
Let us exult, and in Him be joyful.
Let us fear and let us love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love each other (and Him).
Where charity and love are, there God is. Amen.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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