Vivaldi Gloria (RV 589) - University Choir, The University of Hong Kong (2023)

Performed on 2023/6/30, Methodist Church International Hong Kong
Conductor: Kenneth Ma Wing Heng 馬榮亨
Audio Engineer: Kenneth Ma Wing Heng 馬榮亨
Soprano soloists: Wong On Yan 黃安恩
& Chan Long Yan 陳朗昕
Alto soloist: Li Nga Ying 李雅盈 & Ho Pui Ching Jade 何沛澄
Illustration: Shimamura Akira 島村明
Music: Antonio Vivaldi

Gloria RV 589 was a cantata-mass of praise and worship composed by Antonio Vivaldi with a multi-movement setting of the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo. It was composed in around 1713-1717, during the composer’s employment at the Pietà. Considered as one of the composer’s most influential choral works, the piece was simply known as Vivaldi Gloria because of its outstanding popularity. It comprises 12 brief movements listed below, with all 12 movements performed in the programme.

1. Gloria (Chorus) 00:34
Gloria in excelsis Deo. (Glory to God in the highest.)

2. Et in terra pax (Chorus) 03:12
Et in terra pax (And on earth peace) hominibus bonae voluntatis. (to men of good will.)

3. Laudamus te (Sopranos I and II) 08:13
Laudamus te, benedicimus te, (We praise you, we bless you,) adoramus te, glorificamus te. (we adore you, we glorify you.)

4. Gratias agimus tibi (Chorus) 10:55
Gratias agimus tibi. (We give thanks to you)

5. Propter magnam gloriam (Chorus) 11:25
Propter magnam gloriam tuam. (for your great glory.)

6. Domine Deus (Soprano) 12:33
Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, (O Lord God, heavenly King,) Deus Pater omnipotens, (God the Father almighty.)

7. Domine, Fili unigenite (Chorus) 17:11
Domine Fili unigenite, (O Lord, the only-begotten Son,) Jesu Christe. (Jesus Christ.)

8. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei (Contralto and Chorus) 19:50
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, (O Lord God, Lamb of God,) Filius Patris, Rex caelestis, (Son of the Father, heavenly King,) Domine Fili unigenite, (only-begotten Son,) qui tollis peccata mundi, (who takes away the sins of the world,) miserere nobis. (have mercy upon us.)

9. Qui tollis peccata mundi (Chorus) 23:17
Qui tollis peccata mundi, (Who takes away the sins of the world,) suscipe deprecationem nostram. (receive our prayer.)

10. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris (Contralto) 24:30
Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, (Who sits at the right hand of the Father,) miserere nobis. (have mercy upon us.)

11. Quoniam tu solus sanctus (Chorus) 27:02
Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, (For you only are holy,) tu solus Dominus, (you only are the Lord,) tu solus Altissimus, (you only are the most high,) Jesu Christe. (Jesus Christ.)

12. Cum Sancto Spiritu (Chorus) 27:52
Cum Sancto Spiritu, (With the Holy Spirit) in gloria Dei Patris. (in the glory of God the Father.) Amen.