Programme Note

Reviews

Michael Parker receives first prize in the 1981 Competition for Newfoundland Choral Composers for his Missa Brevis Missa Silvatica from Dianne Butt, member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Looking on is Donald Cook, Director of the School of Music, Memorial University of Newfoundland, which sponsored the competition.

Programme Note Missa Silvatica is scored for unaccompanied mixed choir and soloists, although the solo passages are short and an integral part of the choral ensemble. The Latin title may be translated as "Woodland Mass." Missa Silvatica is an emotional musical setting which evokes an urgent plea rather than a humble petition. The arresting sound of the tritone appears frequently throughout the work, heightening the emotional intensity. At times, the effect is poignant, as in the Sanctus; but more often it becomes an impassioned cry. Each of the five movements is characterized by a separate series of notes derived from key words in the individual texts. These series are then freely transformed and combined with other material. The Kyrie employs ternary structure. The flowing melody of the opening and closing "Kyrie eleison" is set as a fugue; the closing section is a retrograde version of the first. The middle section, "Christe eleison", with its angular rhythms, provides a dramatic contrast. The Gloria falls into five contrasting sections. An opening arpeggio on the thirteenth chord serves as a unifying element for the entire movement which is characterized by rich choral sonorities. The Sanctus and Benedictus are intimate, transparent settings of the Latin text. Syncopated rhythms introduce a lively fugue for the Osannas which conclude each of these two movements. The final movement, Agnus Dei, is a fervent supplication for mercy and peace. Dissonant passages for full chorus alternate with quiet melodic passages for solo voices. One last agonizing petition, sung by a solo soprano, melts into the final phrase "Dona nobis pacem": a quiet choral setting in which major and minor tonalities clash to settle finally on a major chord, sung pianissimo, at the word "pacem" - peace. Missa Silvatica was awarded first prize in the 1981 Competition for Newfoundland Choral Composers.

REVIEWS 1. The Waterloo Recording a) Fanfare Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 5, May/June 1984: Stephen W. Ellis Here is a marvellous choir, founded just seven years ago by its present director and constituting 25 voices made up of students and graduates of the Department of Music at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. This is the choir's first album of "serious" music and as such commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of Newfoundland. The Missa Silvatica (Missa Brevis #1) by the young Canadian composer Michael Parker was written for this choir in 1982 (sic). Spiced with frequent tritones and varied through the use of SATB soloists, this brief a capella mass effectively contrasts its restrained and aroused passages. This is a strong collection of underexposed works and should be seriously considered by those who appreciate sacred choral music.   b) Edmonton Sunday Sun, February 19, 1984: John Charles Another record that makes very appealing listening comes from Waterloo Music. The catchy title is The Memorial University of Newfoundland Chamber Choir at Exeter Cathedral (WR 8027). They're definitely a cut above most college choirs, and the recording has the right cathedral sound - not too reverberant, yet not just a studio either. Michael Parker's Missa Brevis written in 1982 (sic) for this choir, is the featured work, and it's handsome and haunting, with lyrical dissonant harmonies and long lines. It's very well sung, as are the other works by Willan, Purcell, Starer, Ireland and Clokey.   c) Music Magazine, October, 1984: Barry Edwards In 1583 the ill-fated Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland in the name of his sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth I. Four hundred years later, the Memorial University of Newfoundland Chamber Choir commemorated the event with a visit to Exeter Cathedral in England, the site of Gilbert's home parish, where, among other works, it performed the Missa Silvatica by Newfoundland composer Michael Parker. Michael Parker's Missa Silvatica (Missa Brevis #1), Op. 26 took first prize in the 1981 Newfoundland and Labrador Competition for Choral Composers, and has since been published. It bespeaks his personal commitment to both audience and performers, and a high degree of craftsmanship.   d) The Evening Telegram, St. John's, NF: Josephine Herriott The MUN Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. D.F. Cook have recently released a very fine recording of some of the works performed during their concert tour of Britain late last summer, a tour that centred around Sir Humphrey Gilbert country, and for 11 days of which, they served as visiting choir-in-residence at Exeter Cathedral. The combination of a highly skilled and sensitive recording engineer and a choir at its peak at the end of a concert tour have resulted in a disc of remarkable quality. Featured on side one is the a capella Missa Brevis of Michael Parker, a highly charged work of supplication. Its devotional character lends itself well to a church service, and Parker's marrying of the words to the music inspirational. The Kyrie begs for mercy, contrasting with the Gloria's opening burst of praise. The Sanctus is reverently subdued followed by the animated Osanna. The Agnus Dei reflects the mood of the entire Mass. The solos are an integral part of the score and they blend rather than protrude.