Missa Luba
Encyclopedia
The Missa Luba is a version of the Latin Mass
based on traditional Congolese
songs. It was arranged by Father Guido Haazen, a Franciscan
Friar from Belgium
, and originally performed and recorded in 1958 by "Les Troubadours du Roi Baudouin", a choir of Congolese children from Kamina
.
in 1953 from Belgium. In 1954 he founded the Troubadours (named for Baudouin I of Belgium) as a choir of 45 boys aged 9 to 14 and 15 teachers from Central School in Kamina. In 1958 the ensemble toured Europe to acclaim, at one point singing with the Vienna Boys Choir. There was a high degree of improvisation in the performances, based around traditional song forms. The Sanctus is based on a Kiluba farewell song.
The first recording, which dates from 1958, features solo vocalist Joachim Ngoi and was released as an album on the Philips
label in 1963 in the UK (and two years later in the USA), including a selection of songs used as the basis for the Missa Luba. The contiguous "Sanctus
" and "Benedictus" sections were released as a single, which spent some time on the record chart
in the UK. In 2004 Philips released the original recording on CD (without the Congolese songs), plus a 2000 recording on DVD. The CD also includes the Misa Criolla and Misa Flamenca performed by other artists.
Since the 1960s the Missa Luba has been recorded by other choirs, including The Muungano National Choir of Nairobi
, and the Washington Choral Arts Society.
Father Haazen died in 2004.
); the "Sanctus" and the "Benedictus" were inspired by a magnificent "Parting-song in Kiluba." The "Gloria" is improvised in the typical Kiluba-style of the Katanga
. The "Hosannah" is a genuine rhythmic dance of the Kasai, and the "Agnus Dei" is a typical Bena Lulua (Luluabourg) song.
Originally the music was not written. The composition was the result of general cooperation and of a spontaneous inspiration. Later, sheet music
of Haazen's arrangement was published.
In the "Credo" the text (the crucifixion and the death of the Redeemer) is preceded by the usual announcement of death, first on the Kyondo and then on the Kikumvi (Tom-Tom). Then follows a genuine "kilio" (elegy - dead-song) without percussion accompaniment, sung by the solo voice. The doleful tone is stressed by the repeated and sustained o-sounds ("... etiam prono ... bis, sub Pontio Pilato... ).
The Missa Luba was created by Baluba of the Kasai and Katanga, with Father Haazen.
The "Sanctus" featured prominently in Lindsay Anderson
's 1968 film If.... starring Malcolm McDowell
, Lost and Delirious
and in Never Let Me Go
, and the "Gloria" was featured in Pier Paolo Pasolini
's The Gospel According To St. Matthew
. "Sanctus" was also used during the closing credits of Deadly Voyage with Omar Epps
.
The Clash
lyrically refer to the recording in the song "Car Jamming" on the 1982 album Combat Rock
.
Latin Mass
The term Latin Mass refers to the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Mass celebrated in Latin.The term is frequently used to denote the Tridentine Mass: that is, the Roman-Rite liturgy of the Mass celebrated in accordance with the successive editions of the Roman Missal published between 1570 and 1962...
based on traditional Congolese
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
songs. It was arranged by Father Guido Haazen, a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Friar from Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and originally performed and recorded in 1958 by "Les Troubadours du Roi Baudouin", a choir of Congolese children from Kamina
Kamina
Kamina is a city in Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located at around . It is the provincial capital.- Transport :...
.
Background
Father Guido Haazen arrived in the Belgian CongoBelgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
in 1953 from Belgium. In 1954 he founded the Troubadours (named for Baudouin I of Belgium) as a choir of 45 boys aged 9 to 14 and 15 teachers from Central School in Kamina. In 1958 the ensemble toured Europe to acclaim, at one point singing with the Vienna Boys Choir. There was a high degree of improvisation in the performances, based around traditional song forms. The Sanctus is based on a Kiluba farewell song.
The first recording, which dates from 1958, features solo vocalist Joachim Ngoi and was released as an album on the Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
label in 1963 in the UK (and two years later in the USA), including a selection of songs used as the basis for the Missa Luba. The contiguous "Sanctus
Sanctus
The Sanctus is a hymn from Christian liturgy, forming part of the Order of Mass. In Western Christianity, the Sanctus is sung as the final words of the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer, the prayer of consecration of the bread and wine...
" and "Benedictus" sections were released as a single, which spent some time on the record chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
in the UK. In 2004 Philips released the original recording on CD (without the Congolese songs), plus a 2000 recording on DVD. The CD also includes the Misa Criolla and Misa Flamenca performed by other artists.
Since the 1960s the Missa Luba has been recorded by other choirs, including The Muungano National Choir of Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, and the Washington Choral Arts Society.
Father Haazen died in 2004.
Musical arrangement
The "Kyrie" and the "Credo" are wholly elaborated like the "kasalas" which are still performed according to the Ngandanjika (KasaiKasai
- Ethnic Group :*Kasai a Muslim ethnic group found in North India and Pakistan- People :It is also a Japanese surname:*Noriaki Kasai, sportsman*Tomomi Kasai, Japanese idol, AKB48 member*Kasai Zenzo, author- Places in Japan :...
); the "Sanctus" and the "Benedictus" were inspired by a magnificent "Parting-song in Kiluba." The "Gloria" is improvised in the typical Kiluba-style of the Katanga
Luba-Katanga language
Luba-Katanga, also known as Luba-Shaba and Kiluba, is one of two major Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo called "Luba". It is spoken mostly in the south-east area of the country by the Luba people....
. The "Hosannah" is a genuine rhythmic dance of the Kasai, and the "Agnus Dei" is a typical Bena Lulua (Luluabourg) song.
Originally the music was not written. The composition was the result of general cooperation and of a spontaneous inspiration. Later, sheet music
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
of Haazen's arrangement was published.
In the "Credo" the text (the crucifixion and the death of the Redeemer) is preceded by the usual announcement of death, first on the Kyondo and then on the Kikumvi (Tom-Tom). Then follows a genuine "kilio" (elegy - dead-song) without percussion accompaniment, sung by the solo voice. The doleful tone is stressed by the repeated and sustained o-sounds ("... etiam prono ... bis, sub Pontio Pilato... ).
The Missa Luba was created by Baluba of the Kasai and Katanga, with Father Haazen.
In the media
"Kyrie" was used in the finale of the 1966 MGM movie "The Singing Nun" and Mexican film "Un alma pura" based on Carlos Fuentes short story and on the soundtrack album from the film.The "Sanctus" featured prominently in Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Gordon Anderson was an Indian-born, British feature film, theatre and documentary director, film critic, and leading light of the Free Cinema movement and the British New Wave...
's 1968 film If.... starring Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
, Lost and Delirious
Lost and Delirious
Lost and Delirious is a 2001 Canadian drama film directed by Léa Pool and loosely based on the novel The Wives of Bath by Susan Swan. Lost and Delirious is filmed from the perspective of Mary , who observes the changing love between her two teenage friends, Pauline and Victoria...
and in Never Let Me Go
Never Let Me Go (2010 film)
Never Let Me Go is a 2010 British dystopian drama film based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Mark Romanek from a screenplay by Alex Garland. Never Let Me Go is set in an alternate history and centers on Kathy, Ruth and Tommy who are portrayed by Carey...
, and the "Gloria" was featured in Pier Paolo Pasolini
Pier Paolo Pasolini
Pier Paolo Pasolini was an Italian film director, poet, writer, and intellectual. Pasolini distinguished himself as a poet, journalist, philosopher, linguist, novelist, playwright, filmmaker, newspaper and magazine columnist, actor, painter and political figure...
's The Gospel According To St. Matthew
The Gospel According to St. Matthew (film)
The Gospel According to St. Matthew is a 1964 Italian film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. It is a retelling of the story of Jesus Christ, from the Nativity through the Resurrection....
. "Sanctus" was also used during the closing credits of Deadly Voyage with Omar Epps
Omar Epps
Omar Hashim Epps is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His film roles include Major League II, Juice, Higher Learning, Scream 2, The Wood, In Too Deep, and Love and Basketball. Epps' television work includes the role of Dr. Dennis Gant on the US medical drama series ER,...
.
The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
lyrically refer to the recording in the song "Car Jamming" on the 1982 album Combat Rock
Combat Rock
The album received positive reviews from critics, and reached the number two on the UK Albums Chart, the number seven on the Billboard Pop albums, and the top ten on many charts in other countries...
.
Original recording
Artist: Les Petits Troubadours du Roi Baudoin (King Baudoin's Troubadours), arrangements by Père Guido Haazen O.F.M. (Order of Friars Minor) Philips 6527 137 (1965), LP.- Re-released (Missa Luba only) on Philips CD/DVD set (2004)
Selections
- Side 1
- Missa Luba
- Kyrie
- Gloria
- Credo
- Sanctus and Benedictus
- Agnus Dei
- Congolese Folk Songs
- Kamimbi
- Maningi Daba
- Mikomba
- Missa Luba
- Side 2
- Congolese Folk Songs (cont.)
- Dibwe Diambula Kabanda
- Lutuku y a Bena Kanyoka
- Seya Wa Mama Ndalamba
- Ebu Bwale Kemai
- Salibona
- Kansempe
- Katumbo
- Tambwe Dishinda
- Congolese Folk Songs (cont.)
External links
- Appreciation of the original by Studs TerkelStuds TerkelLouis "Studs" Terkel was an American author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. He received the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1985 for The Good War, and is best remembered for his oral histories of common Americans, and for hosting a long-running radio show in Chicago.-Early...
et al. - Review of the later recording
- Esperanza Berrocal: Notes from Naxos 8.557542 CD booklet