Vessel
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Instrumentation: Wind Ensemble and Women’s Choir
I. Stella Maris
II. Hidden Treasures
III. Fleet
Duration: 24:24
Mvt. I: 8:00
Mvt. II: 4:00
Mvt. III: 12:24
Perusal Score with Electronic Rendering
Program notes
Set for women’s choir and wind ensemble, Vessel is inspired by the idea of a ship on a monumental journey. Written in three movements, this composition depicts the majesty of the ship, the mysteries of the ocean and a fierce battle at sea. The vessel is named Stella Maris, influenced by the sailors’ deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea.
The first movement explores the medieval hymn Ave Stella Maris written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. It begins by introducing the grandeur of the ship, fully equipped for its long journey and boasting its great height and strength. Following a long musical introduction, the choir sings the hymn in quasi-chant style. Nearing the end of the movement, the ship gains speed and the much-anticipated journey begins. The movement concludes with three iterations of the hymn’s final line, “tribus honor unus,” (Honour, to the Three equally), symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
Hidden Treasure begins with a mysterious sustained motive, later incorporating rising and descending gestures, to symbolize our sailors’ longing to find forgotten gold and jewels on their quest. Shimmering sounds continue to shine through by mallet percussion, harp and piano as the choir enters with the beautiful Morning Offering prayer. This delicate passage depicts the mysteries of the depths of the ocean and the advent of an incredible, sacred gift… hidden from the world. This movement is dedicated to all mothers.
The Two Columns, a dream by St. John Bosco inspired the third movement, titled Fleet. This final movement begins without pause, opening with a militaristic percussion solo, followed by ominous brass chords. Overlapping, blurred motives and an aggressive barrage of percussion depict the onslaught of the maritime battle. As an enemy fleet attacks, the sailors call on the intercession of Mary, their patroness, to survive the conflict. The women’s choir enters with the Marian hymn, Flos Carmeli (Flower of Carmel), written for the Carmelites in the 12th Century by St. Simon Stock. Divinely inspired, the captain of the ship anchors to the two columns, which miraculously destroys the enemy and scatters their fleet. The music recapitulates the blurred opening motives but changes tone as the crew rejoices in gratitude and glory.
The magnificent text of the Litany of Loreto, also known as the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, brings the piece to finality. Over the sea there reigns a great calm followed by joyful celebration as the vessel continues safely on its journey home. The litany concludes, “Queen of Peace, pray for us.”