Mass of the Children
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Mass of the Children is a major work of English composer John Rutter. It is a non-liturgical Missa brevis, with the traditional Latin and Greek Mass text interwoven with several English poems. "Mass of the Children" consists of five movements:
- Kyrie
- Gloris
- Sanctus et Benedictus
- Agnus Dei
- Finale (Dona nobis pacem)
The Finale uses additional text from the Agnus Dei which was not used in the preceding movement, as well as two prayer adaptations by Rutter and a poem by Thomas Ken. Another of Ken's poems was incorporated into the Kyrie, and a poem by William Blake is interwoven with the Agnus Dei.
"Mass of the Children" was first performed on February 13, 2003 at New York's Carnegie Hall. Then the mass was later performed at Carnegie Hall again during April of 2008 by the wonderful Fairfax Choral Society from Fairfax VA.
