Nunc Dimittis (2023) - Adam Vincent Clay

06.01.2024
Premiered and recorded at
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Houston, TX
Last year the phenomenally skilled Clara O’Brien mezzo-soprano and wife to my composition teacher, Lance Hulme, passed away tragically. Upon hearing the news, I was stricken with grief for my teacher Lance who always approached working with me as a student with humility and genuine excitement about my ideas. I treasure my memories of working with him in college, and have kept in touch since graduation to this date, as his critical advice I have always found helpful and humble (despite his many accomplishments).
I asked Lance upon hearing of this sad news if it would not be presumptuous of me to compose something in her honor, and upon approval composed this setting of the traditional Latin Catholic prayer for funerals the “Nunc Dimittis.” It is a beloved text of mine with many profoundly moving compositions doing it justice in the choral repertoire. Though a daunting task, I felt that setting the text came naturally out of the compassion and grief I felt in light of the news.
This setting explores the drama between the choir and the soloist - and the reflection upon the memory of a beloved singer. The choir begins by expressing grief and a hope for redemption amidst sadness, to ultimately give way to the soloist, a mezzo soprano (in honor of the late Clara O’Brien). She is accompanied by the choir that previously expressed the grief regarding her loss as well as by piano as the text shifts to a more hopeful tone: “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”
The piece is roused from its hope as it expresses the energizing statement of faith: the salvation of God is prepared to be a light to the Gentiles and to be the Glory of Israel: in which the music settles to its opening harmonic shift with slight transformations, indicating a reminder of the mystery of the departure of loved ones that calls us to a faith that is transcendent. The music continues to recall the opening motives with the text now stating “Glory to Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” but now with transformations that continually brighten the harmonies, as the music reaches to the heavens.
Throughout the piece the soloist plays role as soloist but also sings and blends in and out of the choir - as all lost loved ones stand out for their individual spirit to those who knew and loved them, while joining the heavenly choir of angels. So, the soloist is held suspended as we often hold onto loved ones when they leave - as a candle flame flickers in its dying between light and darkness: two realms.
May this music bring hope and beauty to my teacher Lance in his loss, to all who knew and loved Clara, and to all those who grieve the loss of their own loved ones.
Adam Vincent Clay
Nunc Dimittis text/translation:
Canticle of Simeon (Luke 2: 29-32)
Latin:
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace,
quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,
quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum,
lumen ad revelationem gentium et gloriam plebis tuæ Israel.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritu Sancto
Amen.
English:
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Amen.
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Videographers: Pin Lim and John D. Clay
Audio engineer: Jorge Ibarra
Soprano soloist: Leah Brashear
Pianist and conductor: Adam Vincent Clay
Soprano:
Justine Ash
Erica Lynn
Sophia Leathermann
Alto:
Caroline Hackney
Judith Tamayo
Monica Kendall
Gretchen Kersten
Tenor:
Stephen Ash
Raymond Pappas
Nicholas Pappas
Bass:
Fred Clay
Michael Hall
Christopher Kersten