TBB + piano

NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER

This is an absolutely dramatic and epic text about the Last Judgment. It is attributed to a Franciscan monk named Tomaso de Celante (ca. 1190-1255). The complete poem contains 18 rhymed stanzas. An unknown author later added the “Pie Jesu” couplet and the “Amen.” Little did this Franciscan know that his colorful poem would provide a springboard for some of the most dramatic musical works ever written.

I wrote the initial version of this work for the Bel Canto National Treble Choir. This treble ensemble of 47 youth had endless musical abilities, and understood sonority in ways that are not explainable. As my last concert with this ensemble (18-year association), I wrote this DIES IRAE. So much “light weight” music and borderline trivial texts are unfortunately set for treble choirs, and I wanted to leave Bel Canto with a work that required a strong understanding of sonority, rhythmic vitality, diction, and “sheer will.” The other two versions (SATB and TBB) followed shortly thereafter.

One glanced one can see that the piano collaborator is an integral part of this work, and the pianist needs the strong skill.