Kim André Arnesen

The Holy Spirit Mass

The Holy Spirit Mass was commissioned for the National Lutheran Choir, Dr. David Cherwien, Artistic Director, through a gift from Gary Aamodt and Celia Ellingson to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in October 2017. The work was premiered in Washington D. C. in October 2017 and had its European Premiere in Rome, October 2018 at the opening of the International Festival of Sacred Music and Art. The Holy Spirit Mass interweaves the familiar Mass texts with English translations of the 9th-century Veni Creator Spiritus (‘Come Creator Spirit’) and Martin Luther’s hymn Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord. This major new choral work encourages unity and reconciliation in the world and celebrates hope for its future. Arnesen’s characteristic rich harmonies and memorable melodic lines combine to create an inspirational and uplifting work suitable for concert performance.This vocal score, which includes accompaniment for organ, can also be used for performing the version of The Holy Spirit Mass with strings & piano accompaniment (available on hire from Boosey & Hawkes).