Dusk Songs

Dusk Songs is a complete Compline Mass setting. Compline is a late-night, reflective service which has its roots in both Western and Eastern liturgical heritage, and are the last, meditative prayers uttered before sleep. Whether a response, hymn, collect or anthem, they can all be regarded as 'songs', with the same aspiration of vigil-like invocation.

Having a profound fascination in non-Western vocal traditions, there are various influences, from the pentatonic overlapping phrases of the Central African pygmies to a Norwegian folk scale, the harmony and animalistic whoops found in the female choirs of Bulgaria to Byzantine music.

I was interested in the idea that for many centuries, Christianity was preached in an oblique language to most, before being translated into the vernacular. I combine Latin and English in several pieces (as well as Ancient Greek and Scottish Gaelic), often with the latter acting as a concurrent or emerging translation.

It comprises:

1. O Nata Lux

2. Opening Prayer

3. Criosda Liom A Cadal (Celtic prayer)

4. Response

5. Before the Ending of the Day (hymn)

6. Antiphon

7. Nunc Dimittis

8. Hail, Gladdening Light

9. Collect

10. Collect

11. Response: We Will Lay Us Down in Peace

12. O Lux Beata Trinitas

 NB The final work, O Lux Beata Trinitas, is published separately by Oxford University Press. Many other works from Dusk Songs are also available as separate scores.

'Dusk Songs' was commissioned by Ebor Singers and premiered at York Minster in 2006. It was released as an album on their label, Boreas Music.