MISSA
LUBA
(with thanks to Pat Gritton, Chris Campbell and Robbie
Dempsey)
This is a rare recording of the Missa Luba, performed by the Muungano National
Choir of Kenya.
You may be able to acquire an original copy via the internet if so, please
let us know your source.
The extracts below are taken from the cassette tape version and provide a useful
background to the recording.
Click
here to see the 12inch vinyl version
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SLEEVE
NOTES Click on the music title to hear the track Kyrie (2.9mb) This number starts with a shaken gourd followed by drums. The three tenor voices enter on the third beat of the fourth bar, the response being provided by the chorus of men and women. This style of "call and response" continues for 29 bars before the tenor solo voices lead to the chorus, with a group of women calling and being responded to by the rest of the group. After some singing, the tenor solo voices join the chorus, when they all sing a short repeated passage before continuing to the end. Gloria (3.6mb) In the same style as the Kyrie, the opening again introduces the gourd followed by the drums, before the tenor solo voices enter on "Et in terra pax hominibus." They are joined by men before women take over for a short while. The tenor sol voices take over on "Gratias agimus tibi" ; this is followed by a beautiful humming from the chorus, than a return to normal singing. The movement is dominated by triplets and other rhythmic motives sung by the tenor solo voices against the main beat in the accompaniment and responding voices. |
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![]() SLEEVE NOTES Click on the music title to hear the track Credo (5.7mb) The opening style of gourd shaking followed by the drums has not changed but this time the introduction is longer than in previous movements. The rhythm of the gourd continues for a long time, as in the Kyrie. The tenor solo voices continue with triplets, occasionally heard also in the women's parts. The men and women sing softly on the vowel sound "ou", after which the percussions improvises in idiomatic style. This is followed by the tenor voices with "Crucifixus" and very softly the basses accompany on the vowel sound "ou" while the percussion is silent. The percussion players are again heard on their own. Then the women, in their highest register and unaccompanied, sing the "Et ressurexit." The tenor voices respond, accompanied by the gourd. After a long sustained note and a rest, the chorus comes in with the rest of the percussion section. After some questions and answers, the tenor solo voices and women sing together and the basses continue with their very softly sun "ou" to the end, while the rest of the chorus sing a final "Amen." SLEEVE NOTES Agnus dei (2.5mb) The movement opens with gourd shaking followed by two drums playing on alternate beats. After a lengthy introduction the tenor solo voices enter, followed, after an extended section, by the mixed chorus. The men's music is characterised by longer notes. |
SLEEVE
NOTES Click on the music title to hear the track Sanctus (3.4mb) This is beautiful, slow and stately. The women sing the first "Sanctus" and are then joined by the men. The section from "Sanctus" to "Sabaoth" is repeated. After the last "gloria tua" the tempo becomes more lively, the drums enter and the women sing "Hosanna." This section is loud and after a repeat the women sing a very high note. The slow and stately section is resumed at the Benedictus. The music builds up to a lively climax, all the voices singing, with the women ending on the high note heard previously. |
THE
12" VINYL VERSION BL7592 Philips SLEEVE NOTES : |