CHORAL COMPOSITION: We will sing in the spirit
Title: We will Sing in the Spirit
Composer: Salvatore Ferrantelli (b. 1940)
Date of Composition: March 2002
Vocal solos: None
Orchestral Requirements: Concertmaster David Dally offers the following orchestral assessment for We Will Sing in the Spirit: "One flute, two oboes, two clarinets (in B-flat), one bassoon, two horns (in F), two trumpets (in B-flat), two trombones, timpani (E, F, G, C) and strings; there are some divisi violas. The orchestral part is moderately difficult and requires a college-level orchestra or higher. The composition alternates from an opening in C major (‘Canteamus’) and modulates to A-flat major (‘We will sing’) and returns to C major at its conclusion. There are compound rhythms (triplets and duples) and the violins play in a high range. One of the challenges of this piece is following the rubatos and tempo changes. There are solo violin parts for the concertmaster in the high range and short, easy flute, oboe and clarinet solos. There are multiple, prominent brass fanfare-type passages in the opening and closing sections."
Tempo: maestoso and adagio
Dedication: For I Cantori di Carmel in celebration of our 20th anniversary with gratitude and affection
Premier: May 4, 2002 by I Cantori di Carmel, Carmel Mission Basilica, Carmel, California, Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, conductor (20th Anniversary Concert)
Other Performances: May 5, 2002 by I Cantori di Carmel, Carmel Mission Basilica, Carmel, California, Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, conductor (20th Anniversary Concert) and May 20, 2012 by the Monterey Peninsula College Chorus and the MPC Orchestra, MPC Gymnasium, (30th Anniversary Concert), Dr. Sal Ferrantelli conducting.
Vocal Ranges: S1: f1-b flat2; S2:f1-g2; A1: d1-f2; A2:c1-f2; T1: e flat-g1; T2: e flat-g1; B1: c-f1; B2: F-f1
Dynamic Range: pp-fff
Composer’s Comments for We Will Sing in the Spirit: We Will Sing is celebratory in nature, as can be heard in the opening orchestral introduction, and in the chant-derived vocal lines on the Latin text, “Canteamus” [“Let Us Sing”] punctuated by brass chords over a sustained tympani roll and woodwind trills. The central section is an extended two-part adagio with the English text, “We will sing in the spirit…and we will sing with understanding.” In the concluding section, the music returns to the opening chant-inspired melody, but now takes the form of a dialogue between the men (in Latin) and the women (in English translation). The florid lines build to a climax and the anthem continues (over shifting key centers) with the repeated proclamation, “And we will sing also with understanding.” With the final resounding, “Let us sing!,” the anthem comes to a close.
Composer: Salvatore Ferrantelli (b. 1940)
Date of Composition: March 2002
Vocal solos: None
Orchestral Requirements: Concertmaster David Dally offers the following orchestral assessment for We Will Sing in the Spirit: "One flute, two oboes, two clarinets (in B-flat), one bassoon, two horns (in F), two trumpets (in B-flat), two trombones, timpani (E, F, G, C) and strings; there are some divisi violas. The orchestral part is moderately difficult and requires a college-level orchestra or higher. The composition alternates from an opening in C major (‘Canteamus’) and modulates to A-flat major (‘We will sing’) and returns to C major at its conclusion. There are compound rhythms (triplets and duples) and the violins play in a high range. One of the challenges of this piece is following the rubatos and tempo changes. There are solo violin parts for the concertmaster in the high range and short, easy flute, oboe and clarinet solos. There are multiple, prominent brass fanfare-type passages in the opening and closing sections."
Tempo: maestoso and adagio
Dedication: For I Cantori di Carmel in celebration of our 20th anniversary with gratitude and affection
Premier: May 4, 2002 by I Cantori di Carmel, Carmel Mission Basilica, Carmel, California, Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, conductor (20th Anniversary Concert)
Other Performances: May 5, 2002 by I Cantori di Carmel, Carmel Mission Basilica, Carmel, California, Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, conductor (20th Anniversary Concert) and May 20, 2012 by the Monterey Peninsula College Chorus and the MPC Orchestra, MPC Gymnasium, (30th Anniversary Concert), Dr. Sal Ferrantelli conducting.
Vocal Ranges: S1: f1-b flat2; S2:f1-g2; A1: d1-f2; A2:c1-f2; T1: e flat-g1; T2: e flat-g1; B1: c-f1; B2: F-f1
Dynamic Range: pp-fff
Composer’s Comments for We Will Sing in the Spirit: We Will Sing is celebratory in nature, as can be heard in the opening orchestral introduction, and in the chant-derived vocal lines on the Latin text, “Canteamus” [“Let Us Sing”] punctuated by brass chords over a sustained tympani roll and woodwind trills. The central section is an extended two-part adagio with the English text, “We will sing in the spirit…and we will sing with understanding.” In the concluding section, the music returns to the opening chant-inspired melody, but now takes the form of a dialogue between the men (in Latin) and the women (in English translation). The florid lines build to a climax and the anthem continues (over shifting key centers) with the repeated proclamation, “And we will sing also with understanding.” With the final resounding, “Let us sing!,” the anthem comes to a close.
