DIES SANCTIFICATUS

Dies Sanctificatus is inspired by the Latin word for light, lux, particularly as it is addressed in the text.  The computer generated part was constructed by manipulating recordings of the St. Cloud State University choir singing the Gregorian plain chant setting of the text, particularly the words díes (day), illúxit (has dawned), veníte (come), adoráte (worship) and lux (light).  By, among other things, emphasizing overtones present in the choir’s singing of the chant, I have text-painted about light.  I have also employed a structural feature of late Medieval polyphony, that of having the tenor (from Latin tenere, to hold) sing one word over a long period of time, punctuated by moments of singing rhythmically together with the other voices, the tenor part based on the original Gregorian plain chant.  I have thus structured this work around an electronic, 20th century tenor.

Dies Sanctificatus was written at the request of conductor Jeffrey Douma,  for the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir 1998 European Tour.  Dies Sanctificatus received its premier performance on 17 April 1998 by the St. Cloud State University Concert Choir under the direction of Jeffrey Douma.

Text

(translation by Carolyn Hartz)

Díes sanctificátus illúxit nóbis:                                    A holy day has dawned for us:

veníte géntes et adoráte Dóminum:                            come, people, and adore the Lord:

quia hódie descéndit lux mágna super térram.             for today a great light has descended upon the earth.