The Gospel Mass
The Gospel Mass-a mass for mixed choir, combo and concert band-is based on the gospel music that has spread throughout the world since its creation in America. After Missa Brevis and Missa Katharina this is the third mass fromthe pen of Jacob de Haan. The movements of the mass ordinary as we know it have now been composed in various pop styles that have their origin in the gospel music. We hear, then, not only the classic American gospel style (including thecharacteristic clapping and swing rhythms), but also freer gospel styles that have developed over the course of time. The Credo, for example, is a ballad with rock and funk influences. The Agnus Dei is heard as a slow blues-a genreclosely linked to gospel music. The unique feature of this work, of course, is in the combination of all these pop and gospel elements with the Latin liturgy of the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei, which results in abeautiful, cohesive whole. As far as we know, The Gospel Mass is the only true gospel mass.
