MASS IN G
The Mass in G (Edith Cavell) is a setting of the Latin mass for SATB soli, chorus, and a small orchestra of trumpets, timpani, strings, and organ. It was commissioned by the Belgian Edith Cavell Commemoration Group (BECCG) in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of Nurse Cavell’s execution and performed before an audience of dignitaries in Holy Trinity Brussels in October 2015. It has a performance time of 20 minutes.
Kyrie (2’15)
Gloria (3’30)
Credo (4’30)
Sanctus (1’10)
Benedictus (4’00)
Agnus Dei (4’30)
Its cantus firmus (underlying melodic theme) is ‘Eventide’, the hymn tune of Abide With Me, which was sung together by Nurse Cavell and the Chaplain of Holy Trinity Brussels on the night of her execution. An arrangement of the hymn for strings and organ is included with the score (5’00). It’s not part of the mass, but you may like to sing it in the same service.
Download orchestra parts here (alphanumeric code required)
The mass’s neo-Viennese style follows in the steps of the masters, Haydn and Mozart. Since the commission was for a short setting of the entire mass, it also required a Viennese briskness in treating the words. Yet the melody of Abide with me, woven through the mass, still blends nicely with the eighteenth-century musical style.
Do you want to know a bit more about the background and the text of the Latin Mass? Read The Musical Setting of the Latin Mass.
Since the Mass in G was performed together with Haydn’s ‘Mass in Anxious Times’ (Missa in angustiis), also known as the Nelson Mass, I scored the new work for Haydn’s 18-strong orchestra of 2 trumpets, timpani, strings (4,4,3,2,1), and organ. So the Mass in G should be performed with the same forces, only substituting trumpets in C (or Bb, if you prefer) for the valveless D trumpets. But, when I don’t have that many strings, I’ve also done it well with a string quartet. You can hear what it sounds like here, either complete or section by section.
See also Edith Cavell Preces & Responses (Sep. 2017)
BOUQUETS FOR THE CAVELL MASS
“27,000 notes! How long did it take you to compose such a work?” HRH The Princess Anne Royal.
“Truly wonderful.” HBM Ambassador Alison Rose.
“The concert was a truly magnificent moment. David Mitchell’s music has touched the hearts of all those who had the good fortune to hear the Cavell Mass.” Andrew Brown, Chair, Brussels Edith Cavell Commemoration Group.
“We just wanted to write to thank you both for the wonderful concert on Saturday night. The Cavell Mass was superb and we felt that the whole evening was beautifully put together. It really was an inspirational piece of music!” Simon Tyndall.
“Thank you for this wonderful musically evening with you. Bravo for your composition! And your beautiful choir!” Jean Delobel.
“Merci beaucoup pour cette découverte musicale ‘The Cavell Mass’ !” Lucille Buffet, violoniste.
“I want to tell you that Cavell Mass sounds in my thoughts these days after the concert and when I hear it I am starting to ask myself what is this music? Miguel Garcia told me that he enjoyed a lot the new mass.” Katja Katanova.
“Many thanks for the beautiful evening last Saturday. I really appreciated the Edith Cavell Mass. Congratulations for your wonderful organization!” Philippe Lambert, Professeur Conférencier au Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles, Chargé de Mission à l’Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Want to know a bit more about Abide With Me? Read Why Do They Sing Abide With Me at FA Cup Finals? Or listen to the video.