Cantate Domino for SSAATTBB Chorus

Jansson Cantate Domino for SSAATTBB Chorus

Based on the well-known bible text “Sing unto the Lord a new song” (Psalm 96:1-3), this upbeat composition with strong dynamics and flowing block chords alternating with fast-paced polyphony brings across this joyful message and enthuses singers.

Originally conceived for male choir (BA7416), women’s voices have now been added so that this version for mixed choir presents a further dimension of colour.  This version also makes it possible to divide the choir into two groups, one for women and another for men, and to have them sing either together or as separate units.

The version for mixed choir was premiered in Uppsala Cathedral (Sweden) on 26 October 2013, with the Uppsala Cathedral Singers conducted by Ulric Andersson.

“My music is my own and I have never tried to be original.  That has always been my motto and I have only tried to use music to express all the feelings which life has to offer.  This has led people to describe my music as ‘so sad that it sounds like birds who have lost their wings‘ but also as ‘the happiest classical music that we have ever heard’.  My compositions are almost all sacred.  They express not only my own faith but also my appreciation and respect for the timeless texts that have been used for centuries and centuries.”

Mårten Jansson (b. 1965), elected member of the Föreningen svenska tonsättare (the Society of Swedish Composers), graduated from the Royal College of Music, Stockholm (KHM) with an MFA degree in Music Education, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Voice.  For more than ten years he was the music director and conductor of “Carmen”, one of the most prominent womens’ vocal ensembles in Sweden.  He currently teaches choral conducting and music theory as well as giving vocal tuition at the Bolandgymnasiet and Musikskolan in his home town of Uppsala.