Vespers
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Advisor
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Music
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Open Access
Terms of Use
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
Vespers is unmistakably inspired by liturgy. The title alone simply denotes an evening service of prayer; in this case, the text and structure are drawn from an Eastern-rite vespers service. On the other hand, I wished to write a work that would stand on its own, performed outside of a liturgical context. These two factors--a love for liturgical music and a desire to write a concert work--influenced my choice of Vespers as the service to set. Rather than composing a setting of the Mass or Divine Liturgy, each a central eucharistic celebration, I chose to set a service of a quieter and more contemplative nature. Of a different character from the celebratory eucharistic services, Vespers emphasizes petitions for mercy as well as a sense of quiet assurance. I think of Vespers, then, as primarily a concert work (rather than a liturgical work) reflecting these qualities--albeit one that retains most of the form of its liturgical source, and which as a result could feasibly be adapted to use in worship. Vespers is written for mixed choir with soloists and lasts approximately 54 minutes. The work's premiere performance was at Haverford College on April 7, 2014.