for upper voices (SSAA) a cappella
Text: Latin
Duration: 4 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5
Use: General, wedding, love, Maundy Thursday
Also available in SATB


Commissioned by the Athens Master Chorale, Athens, Georgia, for Joseph S Napoli, founder and conductor, in honour of his 50 years of loving devotion to the art of choral music. First performed on 3 December 2017 by Athens Master Chorale, conducted by Joseph Napoli, at The Classic Center, Athens, Georgia


Composer's note
The actual origin of the text Ubi caritas et amor is unknown, but it has been dated to some point between 300 and 1100 AD. The text is typically sung during the Washing of the Feet at the Mass of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). The word ‘caritas’ has many shades of meaning, and there are some nuances that seem to be lost in its translation. While the word ‘charity’ is mostly used about voluntarily giving, the word ‘caritas’ also means honesty, heartfeltness, dearness and tolerance. In a world with a lot of tension and disunity I wanted to write a piece that sings about the commandments to love one another. As ever, choirs performing this work should aim for a good balance between voice parts, and the music should always be flowing but never hurried. Also available for mixed voices (SATB).


Text
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exultemus, et in ipso jucundemur.
Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.
Amen.


Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ’s love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
Amen.


Kim André Arnesen
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. With an interest in baroque music, contemporary classical music, and popular music, Kim could have taken many roads, but choral music became his greatest passion. 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 and recorded by choirs all over the world. In 2015–16, Kim was Composer-in-residence for the Denver-based choral ensemble Kantorei and Artistic Director Joel Rinsema. The residency concluded with the recording of Kim’s second CD album released in early 2018 on Naxos Records. He continues to enjoy a busy international schedule of commissions.