Compositions responding to melodic gesture and textual pacing in the Old Hispanic rite

Abstract

This commentary accompanies a portfolio of compositions, written for set instrumental and vocal forces (SATB divisi Choir, Percussion, and Strings). Whilst each piece can be taken as a stand-alone compositional work, the collection was conceived as a unit, as a setting of Missa I (a single block of chant from the Marian dawn office in the Old Hispanic León Antiphoner).
Through this commentary I will explore the compositional processes and analytical approach used to compose new music through the inspiration of melodic gesture and textual pacing found in Old Hispanic chant.
Although the original chants are titled as a Missa, I have decided to name my own compositional work as Sit Nomen Eius Emmanuel. This is to avoid confusion, whereby ‘Missa’ is traditionally used as a title to describe musical settings of the liturgical parts of a mass. As my work does not conform to this liturgical structure (from Kyrie to Agnus Dei), I have chosen a different title to evade misperception or misunderstanding.

Date of Award	6 Dec 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Emma C Hornby (Supervisor) & John Pickard (Supervisor)