Love is Born (vocal arr.)

Love is Born (2019/2024)

for unaccompanied vocal sextet (Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass)

Text by Michael Leunig & the Requiem Mass.

Duration: approx. 6 minutes

'Love is Born' is the 6th movement (of 7) from my Requiem, composed in 2019 for SATB vocal quartet and organ. The text for this movement, as for the rest of the Requiem, combines the traditional Latin Requiem Mass text with excerpts from Michael Leunig's 'The Prayer Tree'. For 'Love is Born', the Leunig poem from which the movement gets its name is combined with the Latin 'Lux Aeterna'.

This arrangement for six solo voices was created for the Song Company’s 2024 ‘Hark!’ program, a musical celebration and contemplation of all things festive and Christmas. As a counterpoint to the traditional yuletide gladness celebrated at this season, this work provides space for contemplation and introspection.

Text:

Love is born

With a dark and troubled face,

When hope is dead

And in the most unlikely place

Love is born.

Love is always born.

-Michael Leunig from The Prayer Tree. Used with permission from the author.

Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine:

Cum Sanctis tuis in æternum:

quia pius es.

(Let everlasting light shine upon them, Lord,

with thy saints for ever,

for Thou art merciful.)

-from the Requiem Mass

Purchase of this score permits the owner to reproduce enough scores for performance by vocal sextet.