Arnesen, Kim André - Stabat Mater (SSAA & chamber orchestra or organ)

for upper voices (SSAA) & chamber orchestra or organ
Text: Latin and English
Duration: c45 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5

Kim André Arnesen’s Stabat Mater breathes new life into the 13th-century Latin hymn, which portrays the Virgin Mary’s suffering at the crucifixion of her son, Jesus Christ. Amongst the traditional stanzas are two movements setting contemporary poems: Euan Tait’s A Mother’s Prayer, which was commissioned for this work, and a moving poem written by a child hospitalized with cancer. Arnesen’s characteristic rich harmonies and memorable melodic lines combine to create a powerful and emotional major new choral work.

This vocal score, which includes accompaniment for organ, can also be used for performing the version of Stabat Mater with chamber orchestra accompaniment available on hire from Boosey & Hawkes. A version for mixed voices (SATB) is also available.

Kim André Arnesen
Kim André Arnesen is one of the most frequently performed composers from Norway today. He grew up in Trondheim where he was a chorister in the Nidaros Cathedral Boys’ Choir, later being educated at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim. As a composer, he had his first performance at the age of 18 with the boys’ choir. Since then he has written music that has been performed by choirs all over the world and piano pieces that have topped Apple Music’s classical charts. Recordings of Kim’s works include the Infinity collection on Naxos and the Holy Spirit Mass on Decca. Alongside choral gems including Flight Song and Ubi caritas et amor his recent output has featured larger-scale works such as Stabat Mater and The Stranger.