Missa Simplex (2019)

Ditte Maria Mølgaard performing Missa Simplex

Ditte Maria Mølgaard performing Missa Simplex at Radar, Aarhus, November 14th 2019, photo by Bjørn Giesenbauer

"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

Matthew 18:3

"for my strength is made perfect in weakness"

2 Corinthians 12:9

"And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

1 Kings 19:12

"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

Matthew 6:7-8

Musical settings of the Mass throughout history are known for their splendor, power and richness of sound. In contrast, the present short setting of the Mass explores intimate sonorities coming from a position of vulnerability and humility. It is scored for a solo female or child voice with a bell. The work uses only four notes of an e-minor chord in ever different and never repeating combinations, echoing inspiration from early Christian and Neo-platonic thought. Through its simple and meditative but infinitely varied flow, the Mass is intended to be a meditation, a prayer, and a musical call for a simple life. Taking inspiration from ison (drone practice in medieval music), the Mass seeks to create new meditative sound spaces for our time and the future.

Movements:

  1. Kyrie
  2. Gloria

Score (published by ARE Verlag)

Performances

  1. Ditte Maria Mølgaard, Radar, Aarhus, November 14th 2019
  2. Irene Kurka, Kapuzinerkirche, Paderborn, Germany, March 2nd 2022
  3. Irene Kurka, St Agnes Kirche, Hamm, Germany, April 8th 2022
  4. Irene Kurka, St Ludger Kirche, Duisburg, Germany, April 22nd 2022
  5. Irene Kurka, St Suitbertus, Dortmund, Germany, September 8th 2022
  6. Irene Kurka, Neanderkirche, Düsseldorf, Germany, September 9th 2022
  7. Irene Kurka, Liebfrauenkirche, Hamm, Germany, September 9th 2022
  8. Kristia Michael, St Catherine, Limassol, Cyprus, September 14th 2022
  9. Kristia Michael, Holy Cross, Nicosia, Cyprus, September 16th 2022
  10. Kristia Michael, St Mary of Graces, Larnaca, Cyprus, September 17th 2022
  11. Xenia Preisenberger, Lange Nacht der Kirchen, Bartholomäuskapelle, Paderborn, Germany, September 17th 2022

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