Maurice Duruflé composed this arrangement of Gregorian Chant, Ubi Caritas, in 1960 as part of his Quatre motets sur des thèmes grégoriens, Op. 10, by using only the first stanza of the original chant. He also used the chant's original melody, layering and weaving it into a sublime, polyphonic, and understated choral work.
Translation
Where charity and love are, there God is.
The love of Christ has gathered us into one.
Let us exult, and in Him be joyful.
Let us fear and let us love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love each other.
Where charity and love are, there God is.
Therefore, whensoever we are gathered as one:
Lest we in mind be divided, let us beware.
Let cease malicious quarrels, let strife give way.
And in the midst of us be Christ our God.
Where charity and love are, there God is.
Together also with the blessed may we see,
Gloriously, Thy countenance, O Christ our God:
A joy which is immense, and also approved:
Through infinite ages of ages. Amen.
This performance of Ubi Caritas is taken from Quatre Motets sur des thèmes grégoriens, Op. 10: I., and is conducted by Stephen Cleobury, with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.
Comments