An extended and richly varied setting of the Latin Mass for SATB (with divisions) and organ. It is by turns solemn, ecstatic, joyful, and tranquil.
Andrew Carter (b.1939)
"This major addition to the canon of modern setting of the Latin mass exploits the full resources at the disposal of England's largest cathedral foundation [St Paul's] including, in the Kyrie, antiphonal effects made possible by St Paul's twin organ cases which face each other across the chancel. Elsewhere the writing is marked by a strong melodic sense (for example there is an exquisitely beautiful line for the sopranos in the Agnus Dei) and a wide-ranging orchestral sound palette for the organ. Choirs able to rise to the considerable demands of the atmospheric writing of this work will be richly rewarded." - Music Teacher November 2001
"Andrew Carter uses the forces of choir and organ available to him with imagination born of wide experience . . . Miss Sancti Pauli is a fine example of late twentieth-century liturgical music by a composer whose craftsmanship has been honed by years of working with choirs and who writes in a recognisable diatonically-based musical language . . . Any accomplished choir capable of dividing into eight parts (with some further divisi) would find Missa Sancti Pauli rewarding to explore and perform - a highly recommended enhancement to liturgy." - Organists' Review August 2001
"Carter's sacred music is generally lovely to listen to, and only moderately difficult to perform, and Missa Sancti Pauli is no exception. For the choir with the resources to field a double choir, it is well worth a look." - Mastersinger Summer 2001
"The musical language is dramatic and mature, but avoids undue complexity . . . Carter writes effectively for both choir and organ, and the music for both has a pleasing clarity; although the forces required are large, one always gets the impression that the effect the composer is looking for is clearly in his mind from the start, and the means to produce it the simplest possible. Experienced cathedral singers will find nothing here to daunt them, certainly, and it would make, obviously, a fine setting for a festive occasion . . . It is highly effective, not unduly difficult and well deserving of a place in the choral repertoire." - The Organ May 2001
"Carter is a craftsman, is not afraid to write a warm cantabile melody, and has a fine sense of what will work. If you have the resources, this is well worth exploring." - CMQ April 2001
Kyrie Gloria Gospel Sanctus Benedictus Consecration Agnus Dei Dismissal
