Rorate Caeli
Rorate Caeli was written for Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin, DE and premiered during the Advent season on December 7th, 2013. The text comes from the book of Isaiah and speaks of the yearning of the Jewish people for the coming of Messiah. Originally set to plainchant, several composers throughout history have set the text to music. This setting, although the melodic material is not directly based on the original chant, does echo the chant-like quality associated with this text in the soprano solo line. Likewise, the piece should be performed as if it is an echo of ancient chant – with a free, flowing tempo and a simple sense of meter-less line.
Translation:
Rorate caeli desuper
Et nubes pluant justum
Vide Domine afflictionem populi tui,
Et mitte quem missurus es:
Emitte Agnum dominatorem terrae
De Petra deserti ad montem
Filiae Sion:
Ut auferat ipse jugum
Captivitatis nostrae.
Drop down ye heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness:
Behold, O Lord, the affliction of thy people
And send forth Him who is to come
Send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth
From Petra of the desert to the mount of the daughter of Sion
That He may take away the yoke
of our captivity
| Voicing: | SATB, SSATB |
| Instrumentation: | A Cappella |
| Duration: | 1-5 Minutes |
| Language: | Latin |
| Sacred or Secular: | Sacred |
$2.00
This title is available in print or for immediate download. For both options, there is a minimum required quantity of 8 copies for choral titles. Please support self-publishing composers by ordering the quantity according to the number of singers in the ensemble that will perform the work.
Print orders are printed on demand and shipped by our printing partner, and can be expected to be processed within a few days of the order. Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] to follow up.
Explore More Music…
Title | View | Voicing | Duration | Language | Composer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Voices ⋅ SSAA | Each round 1′30″ to 2′ (in performance) | English ⋅ Latin | The modern Chapel is a meeting-place for diverse musical expression, a place where choral polyphony has long had a home. The term "a cappella" ("in the style of the chapel") evokes the sound of a Renaissance chorus unaided by any church organ. This original collection of 14 sacred and biblical rounds (a "poor man’s polyphony") […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The modern Chapel is a meeting-place for diverse musical expression, a place where choral polyphony has long had a home. The term "a cappella" ("in the style of the chapel") evokes the sound of a Renaissance chorus unaided by any church organ. This original collection of 14 sacred and biblical rounds (a "poor man’s polyphony") […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB ⋅ SSAATTBB | 7'20" | Latin | "Cantemus in omni die" is a setting of a hymn to the Virgin Mary written by Cú Chuimne Sapiens, an Irish monk active at Iona by the early 8th century (died 747). It is the earliest known Latin hymn to Mary originally composed in the Western Christian Church rather than translated into Latin from earlier […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Cantemus in omni die" is a setting of a hymn to the Virgin Mary written by Cú Chuimne Sapiens, an Irish monk active at Iona by the early 8th century (died 747). It is the earliest known Latin hymn to Mary originally composed in the Western Christian Church rather than translated into Latin from earlier […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 2' 30" | Latin | A short call to worship for SATB choir with optional organ accompaniment. Composed for the installation of The Reverend Kenneth Crawford at the Parish of St. James the Great, Darlington, England, July, 2014. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A short call to worship for SATB choir with optional organ accompaniment. Composed for the installation of The Reverend Kenneth Crawford at the Parish of St. James the Great, Darlington, England, July, 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SSA | 5'15" | English ⋅ Latin ⋅ Other | Set in three languages (Spanish, English, and Latin), each iteration takes a slightly different style for the message of Psalm 18 (19): "The ordinances of the Lord are right…" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Set in three languages (Spanish, English, and Latin), each iteration takes a slightly different style for the message of Psalm 18 (19): "The ordinances of the Lord are right…" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 12'30" | Latin | These Biblical texts are often associated with the Advent season of the Christian calendar. It is also sung anytime of the year at “Evensong” in Episcopal and Anglican traditions. The accompaniment is a traditional Woodwind Quintet. The composer knows of no other choral piece that uses this instrumental combination to accompany a choral work. If there are none, then, […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| These Biblical texts are often associated with the Advent season of the Christian calendar. It is also sung anytime of the year at “Evensong” in Episcopal and Anglican traditions. The accompaniment is a traditional Woodwind Quintet. The composer knows of no other choral piece that uses this instrumental combination to accompany a choral work. If there are none, then, […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 5'20" | Latin | The text comprises a solitary verse, St. John 3:8, taken from Nicodemus’ well-known nocturnal conversation with Jesus. The anthem is intended for use in a generous acoustic, such as a Cathedral, where during the many bar rests, the fragmented and overlapping phrases can be given opportunity to resound and reflect until the reverberation dissipates. The […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The text comprises a solitary verse, St. John 3:8, taken from Nicodemus’ well-known nocturnal conversation with Jesus. The anthem is intended for use in a generous acoustic, such as a Cathedral, where during the many bar rests, the fragmented and overlapping phrases can be given opportunity to resound and reflect until the reverberation dissipates. The […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equal Voices ⋅ SSAA | Each round 1′30″ to 2′ (in performance) | English ⋅ Latin | All vocal groups need short, portable items in their repertoire. A round is a melody which can unfold into harmony, the prime tool of choral directors who wish to develop in singers an ability to listen to others while holding an independent line. Rounds build cohesion among singers and provide opportunities for improving ensemble, sight-reading, […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All vocal groups need short, portable items in their repertoire. A round is a melody which can unfold into harmony, the prime tool of choral directors who wish to develop in singers an ability to listen to others while holding an independent line. Rounds build cohesion among singers and provide opportunities for improving ensemble, sight-reading, […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 4'30" | Latin | SATB a cappella settings of three ancient Latin texts in a style reminiscent of Renaissance polyphony, but mixing dissonant and tonal harmonies in a challenging but singable texture. Melodies are often disjunct, even passing from section to section, but always lyrical and poignantly expressive. De castitatis thalamo, virgo virginum, and Ave Maria. Ave Maria also […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB a cappella settings of three ancient Latin texts in a style reminiscent of Renaissance polyphony, but mixing dissonant and tonal harmonies in a challenging but singable texture. Melodies are often disjunct, even passing from section to section, but always lyrical and poignantly expressive. De castitatis thalamo, virgo virginum, and Ave Maria. Ave Maria also […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB ⋅ SSATB | 2'30" | Latin | “Tu Lumen” was written for Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin, Delaware and premiered as a short, contemplative prelude for the Service of Light on March 30th, 2014. The text is an excerpt from the 6th century hymn Christe Redemptor Omnium. Although the hymn is typically used during the advent season, this portion of the text […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “Tu Lumen” was written for Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin, Delaware and premiered as a short, contemplative prelude for the Service of Light on March 30th, 2014. The text is an excerpt from the 6th century hymn Christe Redemptor Omnium. Although the hymn is typically used during the advent season, this portion of the text […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 4' 50" | Latin | The text of Ubi caritas comes from an antiphon for Holy (Maundy) Thursday, during the washing of the feet. This new setting is dedicated to all of the healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers, and all those who have given so much to assist and comfort us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The work was premiered […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The text of Ubi caritas comes from an antiphon for Holy (Maundy) Thursday, during the washing of the feet. This new setting is dedicated to all of the healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers, and all those who have given so much to assist and comfort us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The work was premiered […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||