for mixed voices (SSAATTBB) a cappella
Text: Latin (Anon, 13th-century)
Duration: c4 minutes
Difficulty: 3/5

Composer’s note
Eja Mater is a prayer for comfort to all parents who have lost their own child but also expresses love from parents to their children. Originally written for choir and orchestra as part of my Stabat Mater, this stand-alone version has a symphonic feel. Special attention should be made to keep the phrases flowing, especially when they are alternating between the voices. Breath marks and rests are carefully notated for this reason, and this also enables the piece to be sung by only eight voices.

Text
Eja, Mater, fons amoris
me sentire vim doloris
fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
in amando Christum Deum
ut sibi complaceam.

O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.

trans Edward Caswall (1814–1878)

Kim André Arnesen
Arnesen is one of the most frequently performed composers from Norway today. He grew up in Trondheim where he was a chorister in Nidaros Cathedral, later being educated at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim. With an interest in baroque music, contemporary classical music, and popular music, Kim could have taken many roads, but choral music became his greatest passion. His works have been performed in more than 30 countries around the world. His albums Magnificat (2014) and Infinity (2018) received excellent reviews and reached the top of the iTunes classical charts. He continues to enjoy a busy international schedule of commissions as well as guest appearances at festivals and other choral events. Arnesen has been a house composer at Boosey & Hawkes since 2017.