MASS IN E MINOR
for a cappella mixed chorus
"Kyrie" began as "Weeping Song," a setting of oohs and ahhs composed when I was 17 years old and learning to use music as an outlet for coping with debilitating depression and anxiety. I had just been introduced to the music of Samuel Barber, and Barber's setting of "Agnus Dei," based on his Adagio for Strings, was a massive infuence on my compositional language at the time. Later, adding the catholic mass text which in English says "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy" allowed me to connect my personal expression of grief to expressions of grief and pleas for mercy from across the centuries. In a way, adding this text helped me to feel like I wasn't alone and that a presence that transcends time and space might be lovingly hearing all of us as we cry for mercy in times of despair.
"The harmonic language of "Kyrie" is the foundation for all other movements of this, my frst major multi-movement work. "Gloria" was the fnal movement composed for this mass and is an expression of joy and gratitude for having come full circle as a composer. The melodies, harmonies, and other musical parameters for "Credo" "Sanctus," and "Agnus Dei" all materialized in my mind around the same time as when I added the Latin mass text to "Kyrie." The title "Mass in E Minor" is taken from the key center of the "Kyrie." The journey from E minor to G major in the "Gloria," A major in the "Credo," and D major in the "Sanctus," and "Agnus Dei" represents a move forward; away from a place of sharpness, burning with fear and uncertaintay, to a place of comfort, warmth, and hopefulness. This complete work is the realization of a vision for a mass setting that began more than two decades ago."
Zanaida Stewart Robles - March 2022
Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles is an award-winning Black American female composer, vocalist, and teacher. She is a ferce advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education and performance. Authentic interpersonal connection and relationship-building are core principles of her composition, teaching, and performance methods. Her original compositions have been performed by professional ensembles, community choirs, educational institutions, churches, and individuals world wide. Most of her works are self-published and available in digital format directly through her website at zanaidarobles.com. Dr. Robles was born, raised, and educated in Southern California on the occupied lands of the Gabrielino-Tongva people.
Mass in E Minor
for a cappella mixed chorus
Commisioned for the Southern Tier Singers' Collective, Binghamton, New York, William Culverhouse, Artistic Director Zanaida
1. Kyrie
2. Gloria
Zanaida Stewart Robles
bo nae vo lun ta tis. Gra ti as a
gi mus ti bi prop
bo nae vo lun ta tis. Gra ti as a
bo nae vo lun ta tis. Gra ti as
bo nae vo lun ta tis. Gra ti as
da mus te, be ne di ci mus te, a do
Lau
Spi ri tu: in glo ri a De i Pa tris. A
ste, cum San cto Spi
Piano (for rehearsal only)
Adagio Espressivo = 70 do in u num De um, Pa trem om ni po ten tem,
Cre
Cre do
De um de De o, lu men de lu mi ne, De
De um de De o, lu men de lu mi ne, De um ve rum
De um de De o, lu men de lu mi ne, De um ve rum
De um de De o, lu men de lu mi ne, De um ve rum
Pa tri: per quem om ni a fac ta sunt. Qui prop rit. ter nos ho mi nes et
Pa tri: per quem om ni a fac ta sunt. Qui prop ter nos ho mi nes
Pa tri: per quem om ni a fac ta sunt. Qui prop ter nos ho mi nes
Pa tri: per quem om ni a fac ta sunt. Qui prop ter nos ho mi nes
prop ter no stram sa lu tem de scen dit
cun dum Scrip tu
ter ti a di e se cun dum Scrip tu
ras, et
in spi ri tum San ctum, Do mi num et vi vi f can tem: qui ex Et in spi ri tum
Zanaida
5. Agnus Dei
Zanaida Stewart Robles