CFAMC LISTENING PAGE #26: Brandon Kreuze

A monthly musical offering by a composer member of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers. Both your listening and comments are encouraged.

DECEMBER 17, 2006

"Ubi Caritas" performed by the Kilgore College Chorale, Paul Neal, director

PROGRAM NOTES

I was commissioned to compose "Ubi Caritas" by my friend and former colleague, Mr. Paul Neal, for performance by the Kilgore College Chorale of which he was the director.  The three strophes of the poem are set in a modified strophic form in which a common primary melody is found in the soprano part, while the other three parts are varied; the opening line of the poem, which appears at the beginning of each strophe, serves as a refrain.  I was intrigued by the theoretical concept of borrowed harmonies and its implications for modern composition, and my explorations into this concept are found within this work.  The refrain and all three strophes have G major as the fundamental tonal framework, with each section featuring harmonies diatonic in a different mode borrowed into the prevaling tonality:  the refrain borrows harmonies from G Mixolydian, the first strophe from Dorian, the second strophe from Phrygian, and the third strophe from Lydian.  The work also includes elements of rhythmic indeterminacy.  The rhythm of the refrain is precisely notated, but the rhythm of the strophes is notated in an indefinite manner allowing for rhythmic flexibility according to the conductor's interpretation of the text.  Since its premiere performance in East Texas by the Kilgore College Chorale, it has been performed at First Presbyterian Church in Houston, Northwestern University in Chicago, and Covenant College in Georgia.

TEXT

Ubi caritas et amor,
Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur.
Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.

(Where charity and love are,
God there is.
The love of Christ has gathered us together.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Let us revere and love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love one another.)

Ubi caritas et amor,
Deus ibi est.
Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur:
Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus,
Cessent jurgia maligna, cessent lites.
Et in medio nostril sit Christus Deus.

(Where charity and love are,
God there is.
Likewise, therefore, when we come together let us be united as one;
Let us be careful, lest we be divided in intention.
Let us cease all quarrels and strife.
And let Christ dwell in the midst of us.)

Ubi caritas et amor,
Deus ibi est.
Simul quoque cum beatis videamus.
Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus.
Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum:
Saecula per infinita saeculorum.

(Where charity and love are,
God there is.
May we also see, along with the blessed,
The glory of your face, O Christ.
And let there be immeasurable joy
Both now and forevermore.)

STATEMENT OF FAITH BY THE COMPOSER

Having been born into a Christian family, I have been a believer as long as I can remember.  I was raised in the rich Calvinist tradition of the Dutch Reformed faith, and my own beliefs are best summarized in the classic statements of that faith such as the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism.  My involvement in music grows out of my understanding of the Cultural Mandate found in Genesis 1:28, where God commands Adam and Eve to "fill the earth and subdue it."  I believe this commandment is still relevant to Christians today, and that it extends to all realms of human endeavor, including to the realm of sound and its organization at the hands of composers.  Christian composers are directed to fill the earth with sound, to the glory of God.  I believe that God's design for music has two primary purposes:  to bring honor to the Supreme Creator, and to minister to others.  These two purposes motivate all of my work, both as a composer and as a professor.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE COMPOSER

Brandon R. Kreuze is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Calvin College, his Master of Music degree in composition from Western Michigan University, and his Doctor of Music degree in composition from Northwestern University.  His principal teachers have included John Worst, C. Curtis-Smith, Ramon Zupko, M. William Karlins, Stephen L. Syverud, and Alan Stout.  Dr. Kreuze presently is an assistant professor of music at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he teachers courses in music theory, composition, and brass performance; he also teaches music technology as an adjunct instructor at Chattanooga State Technical Community College, and serves as the choir director of East Ridge Presbyterian Church in suburban Chattanooga.  He has received commissions from Kilgore College and Covenant College, and was the festival composer of the Texas Shakespeare Festival during its 2002 season.  His works have recently been included on programs in Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Chattanooga.  His current projects include a piano sonata for his wife Rachel, a wind quintet for the principal winds of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and a collection of Psalm settings for baritone voice accompanied by Pierrot ensemble.

- - -  SOLI DEO GLORIA!  - - -

For personal comments, you may e-mail Brandon directly at: bkreuze@covenant.edu

If you are a member composer interested in submitting a composition for this monthly CFAMC listening page, please contact Bill Vollinger at: WilliamVollinger@aol.com

For further information, to become a member of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers , to renew your membership, or to participate in the CFAMC e-mail discussion group, visit the CFAMC website at http://www.cfamc.org

To read and listen to recent CFAMC Listening Pages, go to the following links:

November 2006: Seth Colaner:
"Man in Brass"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1640

October 2006: Carson Cooman:
"Foresight Spinning"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1634

September 2006: Gregory Pascuzzi:
"Vocalise for Novgorod", "Easter Prelude"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1629

August 2006: John Akins:
"A Symphony of Praise"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1599