Gloria

John Rutter

John Rutter (arr. Sylvester)

This article is a stub. If you can help add information to it, please join the WRP and visit the FAQ (left sidebar) for information.

General Info

Year:
Duration:
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown

Instrumentation

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Gloria in excelsis Deo (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest") is a hymn known also as the Greater Doxology (as distinguished from the "Minor Doxology" or Gloria Patri) and the Angelic Hymn. The name is often abbreviated to Gloria in Excelsis or simply Gloria.

The hymn begins with the words that the angels sang when the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in Luke 2:14. Other verses were added very early, forming a doxology.

The Gloria has been and still is sung to a wide variety of melodies. Modern scholars have catalogued well over two hundred of them used in the medieval church. Almost all polyphonic settings of the Mass include the Gloria. In addition, there are a number of settings of the Gloria alone, including by John Rutter.

- Program Note from Wikipedia

Gloria was written as a concert work. It was commissioned by the Voices of Mel Olson, Omaha, Nebraska, and the composer directed the first performance on the occasion of his first visit to the United States in May 1974. The Latin text, drawn from the Ordinary of the Mass, is a centuries-old challenge to the composer: exalted, devotional and jubilant by turns. Rutter’s setting, which is based mainly on one of the Gregorian chants associated with the text, divides into three movements roughly corresponding to traditional symphonic structure. The accompaniment is for brass ensemble with timpani, percussion and organ – a combination which in the outer movements makes quite a joyful noise unto the Lord, but which is used more softly and introspectively in the middle movement. The composer later made a version with full orchestra.

- Program Note by Louise Luegner

Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland High School Honor Band (Fresno, Calif.) (Susan Hamre, conductor) - 17 March 2019 (2019 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
• California State University, Fresno, Wind Orchestra (Anna Hamre, conductor; California State University, Fresno, Concert Choir) - 11 March 2016 (2016 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)

Works for Winds by this Composer

• All Things Bright and Beautiful (arr. Vertrommen) (2009)
• As the Bridegroom to His Chosen (arr. Vertrommen) (2008)
• Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (as arranger) (1981)
• Candlelight Carol (arr. Dawson) (1984)
• Distant Land (arr. Noble) (1991/2002/2012)
• Feel the Spirit (arr. Noble) (2001/2015)
• For the Beauty of the Earth (arr. Vertrommen) (2010)
• For the Beauty of the Earth (arr. Dawson) (2009)
• Gloria (arr. Sylvester) (1976)
• Gloria (arr. Noble) (1976/2015)
• Magic Kingdom
• Nativity Carol (arr. Musgrave) (1963/1967/2013)
• Shepherd's Pipe Carol (arr. Noble) (1966/2012)
• Star Carol (arr. Noble) (1972/2012)
• Three American Miniatures
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas (as arranger) (1981)
• What Sweeter Music (arr. Vertrommen) (1988/2010)
• What Sweeter Music (arr. Noble) (1988/2012)

Resources

• Gloria in excelsis, Wikipedia Accessed 16 March 2016
• John Rutter website Accessed 16 March 2016