The first 3 parts of the mass"Laudate Pueri Domini" were composed by Bertold Hummel on behalf of the XXVIII. International Congress of the Pueri Cantores. In a joint production with the composers Peter Planyavsky, Jitka Kozeluhová and Franz Thürauer, this Missa Nova was premiered in Salzburg Cathedral in July 1996. He wrote the following text for it:

"When I was commissioned to compose a Missa Nova "Laudate pueri Domini", I was given the task of writing the Initium: Introitus-Kyrie-Gloria. The intention of experiencing the three sections as a unit was realised by using a three-note motif at the beginning of each section to form a bridge to the next. Ideally, the 3 movements should follow each other without a break. The "Laudate Pueri Domini" sweeping verse runs through the Introitus and is taken up again in a modified form in the Gloria sweeping verse. A reference can also be made to the Eleison of the Gregorian Kyrie (XVI Mass). A somewhat longer instrumental entrance music takes account of the expected festive entry of the clergy. The instrumentation takes into account the acoustic possibilities of Salzburg Cathedral (4 organs). What I had in mind for the composition was a vivid simplicity that seemed appropriate for the occasion and the spatial conditions."

Bertold Hummel (23 May 1996)

Preface (Schott Music International)

In 1996, Bertold Hummel was invited by the International Choir Association "Pueri Cantores" ("Young Choirs in Divine Service") to compose the Introitus, Kyrie(greg., here in the appendix) and Gloria for their world meeting in Salzburg, which met with a great response. In the last year of his life, he completed this work with a post-composed Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.

The Salzburg Introitus Psalm 113 can also be played in place of the offertory or for the Communion. The Latin version "Laudate pueri Domini" corresponds to the text of the Nova Vulgata (1974) published by the Pontifical Commission. For many singers and listeners, this text, which differs from the familiar "Laudate pueri Dominum" of the Vespers service, may be unfamiliar, but it corresponds more clearly to the meaning of the Hebrew original than that in the well-known works of Monteverdi, W. A. Mozart and others. It is possible to shorten the psalm by a leap (Vi-de mm. 86-111).

For the present printed version, the original wind instrumentation of the Salzburg parts has been reduced from 16 to 8 players in agreement with the composer. The percussion part, which was originally performed by four players, can also be performed by only one or two players, who must arrange the parts accordingly. The organ parts to accompany the chorus of choristers (then cathedral choirboys from Lyon and Würzburg) and the congregation (then over 5000 choristers) at the premiere in Salzburg on the four instruments of the cathedral there are now only divided between a choir organ (ChO) and a main organ (HO) in the present score. However, the entire part can also be performed on a single organ. In this case, the designations ChO and HO may serve as indications of stop or manual changes. As with the "Salzburg" movements, the congregational part of the post-composed parts can also be performed by a choir group or schola.

Siegfried Koesler
Honorary President of the German and International Association "Pueri Cantores"
Conductor of the world premieres in Salzburg 1996 and Würzburg 2002