Grant Us Peace
            7:32     2008

The two sung phrases in this piece, "L’homme armé doibt on doubter," (You’d better fear the armed man!) and "dona nobis pacem" (grant us peace) are the first and last phrases performed by Collegium Cantorum in its concert Missa L’homme armé. This piece explores the tension between these phrases by drifting slowly between sections of sonic stridency and density and others of calm and peace. The concert consisted of the secular song "L’homme armé" and two masses, by Antoine Brumel and Josquin des Prez, which made use of the L’homme armé melody. Performed from scores prepared by Michael Donaldson, the concert was recorded April 1, 2007 at St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Washington DC. The recording was used with the gracious permission of Collegium Cantorum’s music director, Timothy Kendall. The composer expresses many thanks to Mr. Kendall and the singers.