Omnes amici mei
SATB unaccompanied
2018

Omnes amici mei was selected as the winner of the inaugural Westminster Cathedral composition competition 2018 - 2019 judged by Sir James MacMillan. It will be first performed at the Solemn Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Palm Sunday, 14 April 2019 by Westminster Cathedral Choir, conducted by Martin Baker.
TEXT
Omnes amici mei dereliquerunt me, et prævaluerunt insidiantes mihi: tradidit me quem diligebam: Et terribilibus oculis plaga crudeli percutientes, aceto potabant me.
Inter iniquos proiecerunt me, et non pepercerunt animæ meæ. Et terribilibus oculis plaga crudeli percutientes, aceto potabant me.
TRANSLATION
All my friends have deserted me, and plotters have prevailed over me. He whom I loved has betrayed me. And with fierce looks and cruel blows they gave me vinegar to drink.
They cast me among the wicked and did not spare my soul. And with fierce looks and cruel blows they gave me vinegar to drink.
YEAR
2018
WORDS
Responsories for Good Friday
DURATION
4 minutes
INSTRUMENTATION
SATB unaccompanied
PREMIERE
Westminster Cathedral Choir, conducted by Martin Baker, Westminster Cathedral, 14 April 2019

It is important that the ancient traditional liturgical texts of the church are kept alive in music, and this means finding new music of our own time, to clothe the timeless orthodoxies and treasures of our divine praises. I enjoyed reading the entries and was encouraged by their endeavours. There was one clear winner though, and I look forward to hearing the new setting by Barnaby Martin in due course.
Sir James MacMillan