Sacred Compositions
Mark’s sacred compositions range from polyphonic motets and parody Masses to his Organum Novi Mundi, a Gregorian compositional technique he has pioneered.
Click here for information on commissioning a composition written by Mark. May God bless you for your support!
Click here to view the documentary, CANTUS FIRMUS: The Music of Mark Emerson Donnelly
Motets
Dating back to the Medieval period, motets are pieces of choral music, generally polyphonic, on a text which holds religious meaning. Frequently texts from Scripture are chosen, but prayers such as the Ave Maria are also popular. Recently, at the request of Mother Cecilia, Mark wrote a setting of Tua est potentia for the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles’ October 2021 CD release, Christ the King at Ephesus.
- Ave Maria
- Pater Noster
- Memento verbi tui
- Alma Redemptoris Mater (recorded by The Monks of Clear Creek)
- and others, not yet recorded!
Masses
Notable among Mark’s Masses is his imitation or “parody” Mass, Missa “Sicut cervus”, based on the famous double motet Sicut cervus / Sitivit anima mea by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594). As you compare it to Mark’s Missa “Sicut”, note the re-use of motifs and musical devices from the original.
- From Motet to Mass: Missa Sicut Cervus
- Missa Sicut Cervus “Gloria”
- Missa Sicut Cervus “Kyrie” (re-arranged for the Nuns of Ephesus)
- Missa pro defunctis (Requiem Mass), duet for soprano and tenor
- Missa Primum Quaerite (paraphrase mass)
- Missa Alleluia. Magnus Dominus (paraphrase mass; unfinished) Help get this Mass completed!
Organum Novi Mundi
Organum Novi Mundi (organum of the new world) is a Gregorian compositional technique Mark pioneered in 1989. Drawing on the tradition and inspiration of Medieval Organum, he combines this with the harmonic development of the high Renaissance. Sung in the same rhythmic manner of the original Gregorian plainsong, OMN expands on and embellishes the chant’s simple beauty without drawing the mind of the listener away from the text. Often alternated with unison plainchant, ONM may be in two to six parts. To date, Mark has produced dozens of these compositions for parochial use.
- Adoro Te Devote
- Salve Regina
- Media Vita (organum starts at 2:22)
- Veni Creator Spiritus
- Rorate Caeli (recorded by The Monks of Clear Creek)
Hymns
Mark has three goals with the hymn tunes he writes: 1) that they be beautiful, 2) that they be singable, and 3) that they fit into the traditional hymn repertoire that parishioners know. In the words of a choir member, “They sound like I’ve sung them my whole life…but I know I haven’t!”
After selecting an edifying, well-written text, Mark writes the melody. SATB harmony follows, adorning & supporting the melody, and encouraging the listeners sing along! Mark has written several hymns to date, in various poetic meters.
Click here for information on commissioning a composition written by Mark. May God bless you for your support!