Ecce Sacerdos Magnus

antiphon for a bishop (L)

Choral level of difficulty: 1 (5 greatest)

Written for the Consecration service of Bishop Hugh Gilbert as Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen in 2011. It is scored for unison voices with two trumpets and organ. It sets an Antiphon for a Bishop (in Latin) and is dancing and upbeat. The vocal lines are chant-like and are almost exclusively on repeated As and Ds. A simple chordal organ part supports and the trumpets play delicious duets as an interlude in the three verses. The dance is emphasised by the 3/4 and 3/8 alternating bars. In its very simplicity it is direct and celebratory.

Repertoire Note by Paul Spicer