SSAA choir

SKU: CA.964200

No. 1 from Three Marian Motets. Composed by Ko Matsushita. Contemporary Choir Music. Sacred vocal music, Advent, Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hymns in praise of the Virgin Mary. Full score. Carus Verlag #CV 09.642/00. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.964200).

ISBN 9790007143510. Text language: Latin.

Matsushita's composition draws on elements of the Gregorian antiphon. It begins in unison Gregorian chant, as was typical of Renaissance motets, and the beginning of new lines of text are also derived from Gregorian material. Matsushita juxtaposes a syllabic, rhythmic declamation with this melody, constantly alternating bars with even and odd numbers of beats, the octave C' - C'' constantly repeated by the outer parts and leading towards the climax at the text nomen Jesu. After ascending D major arpeggios, the central word Jesu radiates into F sharp major, the following repetition in the compass of an octave on C is more tranquil, ending peacefully with an F major chord, ppp.

SSAA choir, piano

SKU: CA.966200

Hymn for Pentecost. Composed by Ko Matsushita. Edited by Stefan Schuck. Contemporary Choir Music. Sacred vocal music, Whitsun. Full score. 12 pages. Duration 5 minutes. Carus Verlag #CV 09.662/00. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.966200).

ISBN 9790007167677. Language: Latin.

Matsushita's setting of a hymn for Pentecost is a dialog between women's choir and piano: while the choir develops its melodies from the Gregorian hymn, the piano provides a counterpoint with the minimalistic sounds of fourth and fifths, together with short independent motives related to the text of the hymn. Corresponding to the chorale, the meter changes continually, as if floating. The choir is treated homophonically throughout and, in preparation for the climax of the piece it is briefly divided into six parts at the words pacemque dones protinus (true peace bring unto us). One again Matsushita proves himself a master of economy in his use of compositional means; thus his works of new church music are appealing, effective, and they express humility.

(Gloria). By Mark Sirett. (SSAA A Cappella). Holiday Lights. Size 7x10.5 inches. 8 pages. Published by Boosey and Hawkes.

SSAA choir

SKU: CA.964420

No. 3 from Three Marian Motets. Composed by Ko Matsushita. Contemporary Choir Music. Hodie Beata Virgo Maria Fass.Ssaa. Sacred vocal music, Advent, Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hymns in praise of the Virgin Mary. Full score. Carus Verlag #CV 09.644/20. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.964420).

ISBN 9790007143497. Text language: Latin.

The aged Simeon takes the new-born Jesus in his arms, recognises his significance and celebrates this moment in a paean of praise as the fulfilment of his life. In Matsushita's motet this song of praise, the nunc dimittis, stands at the centre of the composition. Here, the triad of C-F sharp-G, used for the word hodie - today at the beginning, symbolically combines with a Gregorian-like motif, revolving around the central note of B flat in whole-tone movement, and which is used to represent the Virgin Mary. The work ends with a mystical wash of sound, a whole-tone cluster which emerges from the aleatorically repeated basic motifs of the work, and fades away to nothing.