for mixed voices (SSAATTBB), cello & harp or piano
Text: Latin (13th-century hymn)
Duration: c7 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5

Eja Mater is adapted from a movement of Stabat Mater, which was commissioned by Haderslev Domkirkes Pigekor (Haderslev Cathedral Girls Choir) and conductor Mr Thomas Berg-Juul. This arrangement was written for World Choir for Peace and Nicol Matt.

The cello part can be downloaded here.

Composer’s note
This part of the Stabat Mater is a prayer to the Mother of Christ, but this stand-alone movement is also a prayer for comfort to all parents who have lost their own child. As the Mother is called ‘fountain of love’ (fons amoris), the piece also expresses love from parents to their own children. Special attention should be made to the intentional subtle shifts of focus during the piece. This means bringing out the cello solo from the beginning until rehearsal mark A, as well as the solo between C and E. At letter B, the choir should have the main focus in the soundscape, and at letters E and G there should be more of a duet feeling with even balance between voices and cello. However, the nuances should be subtle enough to still have a good balance between the choir and cello throughout.

Text
Eja Mater, fons amoris,
me sentire vim doloris
fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Fac ut ardeat cor meum
in amando Christum Deum,
ut sibi complaceam.

O Mother, fountain of love,
make me feel the pain of sorrow,
that I may grieve with you.

Make my heart burn
in the love of Christ my Lord,
that I may greatly please Him.

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 Nidaros Cathedral, 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. His works have been performed in more than 30 countries around the world. His albums Magnificat (2014) and Infinity (2018) received excellent reviews and reached the top of the iTunes classical charts. He continues to enjoy a busy international schedule of commissions as well as guest appearances at festivals and other choral events. Arnesen has been a house composer at Boosey & Hawkes since 2017.