Anstruther Mass

This piece was written for the Anstruther Philharmonic Society, a local choir which has been singing and performing for over 100 years.  I am their Piano accompanist. The mass is Designed to be a history of choir music from early plainsong through to Renaissance/Modern.

I originally wrote a Sanctus in the style of a composer called Obrecht, a 15th Century composer who wrote melismatically.  But decided to write a complete mass, to have something that worked for me and continued a theme I decided to write a mass on the history (very roughly) of written choir music from the earliest Neumes plainsong through to a renaissance/modern conclusion.  With each of the 5 movements moving through history.

There are some practise parts for choirs takling the Kyrie and Gloria Here.

Anstruther Mass Kyrie 

This is the first part of the mass and moves music from its unknown plainsong style beginning in the 8th Century, through to around the 10th Century.  For a fuller explanation please contact me.  Enjoy

Anstruther Mass Gloria 

This piece shows some of the aspects of music from the 10th Century.  I have used the plainsong from the Kyrie as the tenor line, and rhythms that are similar to the ones used by some of the Rhythmic modes.  Best of all I wanted to write a piece that was bright and celebratory.

Anstruther Mass Sanctus score

The original unaccompanied.  This movement reflects my thoughts on the composer Obrecht.  Who in the 15th Century wrote mellismatic music.

Anstruther Mass Sanctus with organ part

Originally this was written without organ, but works ok if Organ is necessary.