Il NATALE francescano

Description

In dulci Jubilo
Veni, veni, Emanuel
Gaudete e Gloria in Excelsis

Concert piece

by  Picarband

Saint Francis and Music.

Chronicles tell us that he enjoyed singing with his companions as he traveled evangelizing. For this reason, Franciscanism has always been attentive to the importance of the art of sound in the lives of the faithful.

My focus on popular religious song inspired me to undertake this particular research: a collection of tunes, or rather, medieval lauds and songs that recount Christmas in music.

Here is the series, divided into four parts:

In dulci jubilo – Veni, veni, Emanuel – Gaudete and Gloria in Excelsis.

In choosing the instrumental setting, I relied on both Latin and vernacular texts to derive useful timbral suggestions for describing a religious mood of proclamation and prayer, of expectation and Christmas celebration. All these melodies are interesting (typical of the laudatory repertoire) and reflect the Franciscan spirit.

“In dulci jubilo” begins with a pastoral pace; the “Veni, veni, Emanuel,” meaning “God with us,” is an invitation that gradually enriches with characteristic rhythms, dialoguing and anxiously awaiting the coming of Jesus, underscored by the tinkling use of percussion.

The subsequent “Gaudete” is introduced by equally colorful percussion, followed by a striking theme, presented by the brass and repeated several times by the other sections, with metrical alternations (4 – 3 – 2) and enriched by festive ornaments in the mid-high register.

A dialogue between the instrumental sections leads to an accelerando conclusion, with a hosanna-like involvement that preludes the “Gloria in Excelsis” in which all sections unite to celebrate the coming of the Savior.

The instrumentation is particularly suited to any type of instrumental ensemble. The parts are supplied in concert format, with the four pieces performed in succession. It is also possible to request the parts with booklets for performance during Christmas services, two pieces at a time.

I believe the music of this “Franciscan CHRISTMAS” is perfectly suited to recalling the first reenactment of the living nativity scene by Saint Francis of Assisi on Christmas night in 1223, in Greccio.

These are pieces of popular simplicity but with significant spiritual content, so the musical performance must be of good interpretative relevance. Popular does not mean superficial; everything offered to God must be of high quality.

The spiritual experience of Francis of Assisi still conveys a particular sensitivity to Beauty and Praise, so the music performed must be an artistic expression that unites every human experience: it helps build a sense of well-being not only during the upcoming Christmas season, but beyond, towards a future of true peace and serenity.

With heartfelt wishes to those who will celebrate this Franciscan CHRISTMAS with music, a prelude to the coming year 2026, the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Carlo Pirola

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