Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

This setting of the Mass was commissioned to celebrate the 175^th Anniversary of the parish of St Augustine's Balmain. It is set in Latin for Choir (SATB), strings, organ and solo trumpet.

As is customary, it is a setting of the Ordinary of the Mass. The Ordinary employs texts that remain the same for every mass - Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. In addition, Stephen Lalor has composed an instrumental Introit and concluding Processional (both for trumpet and organ) plus the Alleluia and music for the Eucharist.

Note on timings: Total Duration of the Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei): 17:00. Total Duration including Introit and the concluding Processional (both for trumpet and organ) plus the Alleluia and music for the Eucharist: 30:00

Work Details

Year: 2023

Instrumentation: SATB Choir, String ensemble/orchestra, trumpet in C, organ.  

Duration: 30 min.

Difficulty: Medium

Contents note: I. Kyrie -- II. Gloria -- III. Credo -- IV. Sanctus -- V. Angus Dei.

Commission note: Commissioned for the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the Parish of Balmain, Sydney, by Fr Richard Waddell on behalf of St Augustine’s Balmain

First performance: St Augustine’s Catholic Church Balmain

The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc in relation to this work:
"The first complete Mass setting by an identifiable composer was the Messe de Nostre Dame by Guillaume de Machaut in the 14th century. Other famous examples are those by Monteverdi, Palestrina, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and more recently those by Stravinsky, Bernstein and Arvo Pärt. Sample reviews of Stephen Lalor's recent work: Sydney Symphony on Demand 2020: "Lalor's 'Flying' is passionate, wistful music that's instantly affecting”. MIMA Concert Overture 2022: "New orchestral piece sparkles like the lake .. A sensationally uplifting concert overture .. exceptional new work by Dr Stephen Lalor"