James Whitbourn

Requiem Canticorum

Requiem canticorum is a five-movement work of 12 - 14 minutes' duration. Its title means 'a Requiem of song' or 'a Requiem of canticles' indicating that it is a commemorative piece which sets texts associated withtheRequiem mass, rather than being a full Requiem. It is scored for choir, soprano saxophone and organ, a scoring it shares with the 'Son of God Mass' by the same composer.

It can be performed as a concert piece or asafree-standing anthem within the context of a commemorative event or liturgy.

'Requiem canticorum' can also be performed in conjunction with selected movements from the 'Son of God Mass' to make a full concert Requiem. Thekey-structure of the two works allows for a seamless intertwining and in concert should be performed in the sequence indicated below. When performed in this way, the sequence can be given the title 'Requiem' or 'Requiem Son ofGodMass' in a concert programme.

Introit (Requiem canticorum)
Pie Jesu (Requiem canticorum)
Kyrie (Son of God Mass)
Alleluia (Requiem canticorum)
De profundis (Requiem canticorum)
Sanctus and Benedictus (SonofGod Mass)
Pax Domini (Son of God Mass)
Agnus Dei (Son of God Mass)
Lux Aeterna (Requiem canticorum)
Amen (Son of God Mass)

Additionally, some of the work can be used within a Requiem liturgy, thefollowingmovements having a liturgical place:

Introit (Requiem canticorum), until bar 68
Kyrie (Son of God Mass)
Alleluia (Requiem canticorum)
or De profundis (Requiem canticorum)
Sanctus and Benedictus (Son ofGodMass)
Agnus Dei (Son of God Mass)
Lux Aeterna (Requiem canticorum) and Amen (Son of God Mass).

'There is real depth and sincerity to Whitbourn's writing, lending an atmosphere of solemnity and reassuring calm. Thethick homophonic scoring and complementary modal flourishes from the Sax imbue the piece with an eastern ambience only occasionally brought back to western shores by the limited use of Organ. Low basses are essential butotherwise