SKU: GI.G-9610

UPC: 785147961000. Latin. Text Source: Attr. Ambrose of Milan, 340–397. Text by Ambrose of Milan.

Composer's Notes When I met Kelsey Rose in Oxford in St. Stephen’s House chapel over the summer of 2017, we had both just attended a very moving candlelit concert by Westminster Williamson Voices, featuring my setting of “Tenebrae lumini.” I was delighted to be asked to write a piece for compline in Princeton University Chapel, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Anglican/Episcopal chaplaincy at Princeton University. “Aurora” is the result of that meeting. Composing by commission often throws up some interesting challenges. The piece had to fit both as an accompanying piece to the plainchant of compline, whilst simultaneously being a celebratory anthem. I was instantly drawn back to the poetry and hymns of St. Ambrose of Milan, particularly “Aurora iam spargit polum.” Fragments of chant (both real and imagined) are used to create the powerful imagery of the descending golden light of dawn. The piece reaches its climax with the plea for the despair of night to “vanish,” which it then does, leaving the sopranos alone on a high G.

SKU: CA.966500

ISBN 9790007167707. Text language: Latin/English.

Interestingly, Ayres combines the Latin text of the hymn with his translation here: in the style of a free motet-like cantus firmus, he interprets the Latin text impressively in music, making use of glissandi, wide leaps and unison twelve-tone linear construction for the dramatic second verse with its deceptive vision of night. He places the motet sections after the translated text, but quite simply with the Gregorian cantus firmus and in the style of medieval organum, however with interesting, diatonically written dissonant sounds. This rewarding piece is challenging, but well worth singing in a concert or church service.