Emitte lucem tuam

Psalm 43 & Gloria Patri (L)

Choral level of difficulty: 3-4 (5 greatest)

The Schola Cantorum of Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in London is a remarkable choral group by the standards of any school and this motet was commissioned to mark the school’s centenary in 2014 and dedicated to the choir’s director, Scott Price. They had taken part in MacMillan’s St Luke Passion, so he knew the standard of the group for which he was writing.

MacMillan chose words from Psalm 42 (in Latin) which, in Edward Tambling’s translation, begin ‘Send out your light and your truth; these themselves led me forth, and they brought me to your holy mountain and to your holy place’. The scoring is for up to eight voice parts and is an inspired setting of these words starting with three repetitions of the word ‘Emitte’ almost as an imperative. As so often in MacMillan’s choral works there is a heady mix of beautiful linear counterpoint and powerful chordal outbursts. One such here is at the words ‘Et introibo ad altare Dei, qui laetificat juventum meam’. The translation of which reads ‘And I will come to the altar of God who gives delight to my youthfulness’ – surely an appropriate sentiment for a school choir.

This motet has some issues which will challenge choirs, perhaps notably textural clusters in which balance between parts, and the courage to hold notes so close to others will require confidence and rehearsal. But this is a heartfelt work which many choirs will enjoy programming.

Repertoire Note by Paul Spicer