You Are Worthy, Our Lord and God

“You Are Worthy, Our Lord and God,” is the fourth movement of Gloria, a 40-minute work for SATB chorus and orchestra (12 sections/movements) or chamber orchestra. The traditional Gloria text taken from the Latin Mass, begins with the angelic hymn from the account of the Nativity in the book of Luke, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The Latin prose continues with elements of praise, invocations, and petitions. It includes three ideas: honor to God, peace on earth, and good will to humankind.

What is different in this setting of the Gloria is the Latin text has been divided into six sections, and each Latin section is followed by an English commentary or extrapolation taken from the book of Revelations. Written by St. John, Revelations represents a vision of heaven and life after death. Therefore, in addition to the ideas of honor, peace, and good will, there is the juxtaposition of earthly hymns reflecting the human condition, and the heavenly songs of saints and angels.

“Gloria” was commissioned by Meet The Composer, through their New Residencies Fellowship, and premiered in 2002 by the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, with the combined high school choirs of Central High School (ND), Red River High School (ND), and East Grand Forks High School (MN), conducted by Timm Rolek.

– Linda Tutas Haugen