Trane University Ordinary Mass
Saint John Coltrane, Director
July 1, 2014
12:30pm, Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church
A Mass Supreme
Program
Messe de Nostre Dame
Kyrie
Gloria
Credo
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Ite, Missa Est
Guillaume de Machaut
(c.1300- April 1377)
John Coltrane, Tenor; Cannonball Adderley. Alto
Miles Davis, Countertenor; Bill Evans, Bass
Paul Chambers, Bass; Billy Cobb, Countertenor
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Missa L'homme arm
Guillaume Dufay
(August 5, c.1397-November 27, 1474)
Gilad Hekselman, Baritone; Tivon Pennicott, Tenor
Orlando Le Fleming, Bass; Ari Hoenig, Countertenor
_________________________________
Missa sine nomine
Guillaume Dufay
(August 5, c.1397-November 27, 1474)
Kurt Rosenwinkel, Baritone; Mark Turner Tenor
Joe Martin, Bass; Aaron Goldberg, Countertenor
Eric Harland, Alto
Trane University Ordinary Mass Program Notes: A Mass Supreme
Today's concert gather's Saint John Coltrane's favorite masses, the ones that he cites as his
heavy influences to his music. In particular, the selections from today are all chosen from the Medieval
era and the Renaissance era, which is where the mass chants first originated. Coltrane was a
quintessential hard bop tenor saxophonist who pushed jazz to another limit and changed the course of
jazz, making it what it has become today. He was also influenced heavily by Medieval and Renaissance
music, especially Gregorian chants. He exhibits this in some of his albums such as A Love Supreme,
where on the first track, Acknowledgment, where he beings to chant the words A Love Supreme
over the drums, bass, and piano. In addition to that, on the same album he performs a musical narration
of a liturgical poem he wrote on the song Pslam. These techniques he utilized were influenced by
Medieval and Renaissance masses, hence the name of the program being A Mass Supreme.
The musicians performing today are all Jazz artists who are prominent in the New York Jazz
scene. In addition to that, none of them are singers, but who are attempting this to pay homage to the
music from the masses. In order to stay authentic to the original masses, Coltrane decided for the music
to be all unaccompanied polyphony, multiple parts that are only song without any instrumentation,
despite the musicians having the talent to add different textures and instrumentation, as well as
transform the music into a different style all together.
To start the program, Coltrane decided to start with Messe de Notre Dame, as well as Coltrane
performing in the first ensemble. Normally in the Mass Ordinary, these songs are separated by prayers
and chants, but Machaut decided to sing them unified in Messe de Notre Dame. Coltrane liked this idea
because he believes it brings a focus on the music. Being the earliest complete ordinary masses,
Coltrane chose this in order to start from the origins of the masses. The ensemble also had many basses,
because Coltrane liked the sound of having a strong foundation. The first song, Kyrie (meaning Lord,
Have Mercy), is the first song in the Ordinary mass. Moving on, the next song is Gloria (meaning
Glory to God in the highest) which begins with the words that the angels sang when the birth of
Christ was announced. The next movement is Credo (meaining I believe) which is known as the
longest movement in Messe de Notre Dame. Following Credo is Sanctus, which means Holy. The
next song, Agnus Dei (Meaning Lamb of God), is unique in that it sometimes stands alone, rather
than singing the entire mass. The final song known as the dismissal, Ite, Missa est (meaning "Go, it is
the dismissal), is the final song in the Ordinary mass.
With our next set, we decide introduce a popular French song known as Missa L'homme arm.
The song is set in the Dorian mode, the second mode of a major scale, and in simple triple meter,
having three beats per measure. We also brought out a new ensemble, much smaller than the previous
one in order to create intimacy. Coltrane chose this piece partially because of the prominance of the
Dorian mode in Jazz, making it relatable to himself and the other performing musicians. This tune was
an immitation mass based on the tune L'homme arm with over fourty settings of this song. Coltrane
decide to use his favorite, which was composed by Guillaume Dufay.
To end the program, we decided to end with Missa sine nomine. Missa sine nomine literally
translates to Mass without a name. This song was unique, being that it was based on freely composed
materials.
We are honored that you have come out to see this performance.
