Cecilia McDowall

A Song for St Cecilia

The patron saint of music is honoured in Cecilia McDowall's exuberant setting of Kate Wakeling's lyrics based on 'The Life of Saint Cecilia' in Jacobus de Voragine's 1275 The Golden Legend or Lives Of The Saints, translated by William Caxton in 1483. The work's outer sections are fast-paced and lively, with heraldic trumpets, while the reflective central section, for mezzo soprano, is introduced by the timely reminder 'For the hearing of melody is a pricking of the soul, where the clay of the spirit is raised to gold.' The closing section reminds us of the importance of singing, with the words 'She sang in her heart and for this she is now clothed always in arms of light.' This jubilant piece was commissioned by The Bar Choral Society to celebrate its Tenth Anniversary in 2024.

Programme Notes:

Historical accounts of St Cecilia's life are wrapped in mystery but what has never been in doubt is the power she has to inspire poets, artists, and musicians everywhere. Countless works of art have been created in her honour for centuries. The poet Kate Wakeling has drawn her inspiration from 'The Life of Saint Cecilia' in The Golden Legend or Lives Of The Saints compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, 1275, and translated by William Caxton, first edition 1483. Kate captures the curious essence of the original language, bringing a fresh simplicity to the text. She encompasses the spirit of Cecilia with the words 'and her heart was clean as the lily and her creunce (belief) clear as morning.' According to legend, Cecilia 'sang in her heart' at her wedding at which she committed herself to remain a perpetual virgin. This work, inspired by St Cecilia, is scored for mixed chorus, mezzo soprano solo, two trumpets, and organ, a jubilant combination of voices and instruments; trumpets do add a sparkling to the texture. The work, lasting a little over ten minutes, is in three sections, each flowing into the other. The outer sections are fast paced and lively and the reflective central section, for mezzo soprano, is introduced by the words 'For the hearing of melody is a pricking of the soul, where the clay of the spirit is raised to gold.' The closing section brings singing into focus with the words 'She sang in her heart and for this she is now clothed always in arms of light.' A Song for St Cecilia was commissioned by The Bar Choral Society to celebrate its Tenth Anniversary in 2024.