III. Agnus Dei
For SATB Choir (div.), a cappella  (4:35)

Gladde Music Publications  (GMP0202)
$1.75

Jointly commissioned by the Fresno State Chamber Singers and Chico State Chamber Singers of California State University....
a dramatic, powerful choral statement about the anger and chaos of war!

Sometimes, amidst the tragedies of personal anguish and universal horror, unspeakable evil seems to overwhelm life.  For centuries, composers have utilized venerable Latin texts to capture the inexpressible - - to plead for divine intervention.  Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, grant us peace.

As the new millennium unfolded in 2001, the epidemic of children shooting children in America's schools struck the school district where I was raised.  Violence erupted first at Santana High School then followed at Granite Hills High School only seventeen days later.  Lives were lost, families were shattered, and peace was overcome by fear.  I decided then that my next creative effort would be to compose an Agnus Dei.  Months passed, when on September 11 the world stood transfixed......stunned by the attack on America's east coast!  I began composing Agnus Dei to seek solace and to raise voices in supplication to the Lamb of God.

When performed as the conclusion to FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, this movement provides a tender, peaceful resolution to the anguish and sorrow of Movements I and II.

See also:
FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
   I. Anthem For Doomed Youth
   II. In Flanders Fields ( Streaming video!)
   III. Agnus Dei (SATB)
           SSA version ( Streaming video!)
           TBB version

 

 

Practice Recordings

  • Each midi-recording below provides the designated voice part played firmly on the piano while the remaining parts play quietly in the background.

  • When playback begins - click once on the musical score. You can then scroll down to follow your part in the score.

Soprano

Alto

Tenor

Bass


SATB Recording

World Premiere Performance!
The Fresno State and Chico State Chamber Singers of California State University
Dr. Anna Hamre and Dr. Jeffrey Gemmell, Directors
Anna Hamre, Conductor
Fresno Press Release                                                       Chico Press Release
Chico Enterprise-Record article

III. Agnus Dei, p.1

III. Agnus Dei, p.2

III. Agnus Dei, p.3

 

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III. Agnus Dei, p.5

III. Agnus Dei, p.6

III. Agnus Dei, p.7

III. Agnus Dei, p.8

 

Italian Premiere!
February 11-19, 2006
(SSA version)

St. Mark's Basilica (Venice)
Florence Duomo (Florence)
Santa Croce (Florence)
St. John's Basilica in Laterano (Rome)
St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City)
Santa Susanna Catholic Church (Rome)

See Musings (Vol. 9)

 

France & Belgium Premieres!
February 5-13, 2011
(SSA version)

St. Saviour's Cathedral (Bruges, Belgium)
St. Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent, Belgium)
Caen University Choir (Caen, France)
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey (Mont-Saint-Michel, France)
Chartres Cathedral (Chartres, France)
Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris, France)
La Madeleine Church (Paris, France)