As part of the offertory composition project (see also Four Advent Offertories), I’ve completed the ATBB setting of the offertory for the Vigil of Christmas. The words come from Psalm 23 (Vulgate rendering):
Tollite portas, principes, vestras, et elevamini, portae aeternalies, et introibit rex gloriae.
Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
Psalm 23:7
I’ve attached the PDF to the bottom of the post for free download under a Creative Commons license, with the hope that Catholic choirs will sing it.
Polyphonic Setting of Tollite Portas
Discussion
I marked the score with a lively tempo, as if trumpets are calling to herald the imminent arrival of the expectation of the nations. The first part, through portae aeternales, should be sung with excitement. At the marking maestoso, I intend a change of mood to one of awe at the approach of the great King. At measure 51, the Tenor should particularly come through on the rising notes, then milk sweetly, yet with less volume, the descent of a 6th into the G suspension against F. I marked this spot d’oro or “golden” because this is the word that comes to mind to describe the final chord progression. The piece should end with this sort of golden awe.
About the Featured Image
The featured image is Nativity Scene by Anton Raphael Mengs. It is in the public domain in the United States.
