“Santo” from St. Francis in the Americas: A Caribbean Mass

($2.50 per singer + $40 accompaniment)

The “Santo” sets one of Francis of Assisi’s poems in the liturgical context.  The music includes references to a traditional Mexican melody and a “comparsa” rhythm.  The driving rhythm of this piece is reminiscent of a great deal of Latin American liturgical music.  Whereas Northern European liturgical music often emphasizes the solemnity of prayer, Latin American and African liturgical music often emphasizes the lively, dance-like quality of prayer.

This original arrangement of the St. Francis in the Americas: A Caribbean Mass St. Francis in the Americas: A Caribbean Mass(SATB, Steel band-includes 4 steel pan parts & percussion)– premiered 1992.  This 45-minute world music Mass explores the mixing of African, Spanish, and Indigenous cultures in the Caribbean.  Writings by St. Francis of Assisi are woven into the fabric of the traditional Latin Mass and framed by vibrant rhythms (samba, salsa, calypso, and more).  The Kyrie from this Mass has enjoyed an extensive performance history in the US (including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the World Symposium of Choral Musicians in Minneapolis) and around the world.  Anton Armstrong of St. Olaf University, André Thomas of Florida State University, and Francisco Núñez of the Young People’s Chorus of NYC (and MacArthur Award Winner) are among some of the finest conductors to champion this work.  This work is highly adaptable to both concert and liturgical settings. A reduced arrangement is available with one steel drum, piano, percussion. Some movements available in SSA and TTB – contact McClure Productions for more information.