MendelssohnClubLogoJust sent in the Agnus Dei I’ve been composing for the last number of months. It is for Paul Rardin’s first concert as the new artistic director of the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia. Official program notes to follow, but as if writing a piece for this inaugural October 18th concert weren’t daunting enough, this Agnus Dei is to complement the Mozart Great Mass in C minor, left unfinished without an Agnus Dei, which will also be performed.

I’m not completing Mozart’s Mass, but will admit, to my surprise, to how much of Mozart’s Zeitgeist, as dimly realized by me, has made its way into the work.

The Agnus Dei comes in at just under 13 minutes, is for choir and the same size orchestra Mozart wrote for, and highlights the flute/oboe/bassoon trio from Mozart’s “Et incarnatus.”

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace.