René Carlos Ochoa Misa del Pueblo
​Program notes by the composer
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Misa del Pueblo was originally written for a small church choir of untutored musicians in San José, California. When first heard, Misa included but a single melodic line with its text and a guitar accompaniment. Years later - at the suggestion of Shulamit Hoffmann - I expanded the initial scoring to include four-part choir and the characteristic instruments of the Mariachi - strings and trumpets. A piano part and simple rhythmic suggestions for a percussionist have also been added.
The music is “folksy” and “popular” in its style. It was inspired by the life - and death - of Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador, who was tragically assassinated in 1980 due to his support and efforts on behalf of the poor of his country. He remains for me an enduring symbol of the greatness of the human spirit and the sacrifice that is often required to bring peace and justice into our world.
As with any musical composition of the Mass, the preexistent text is what must be “brought to life” by the music that is newly created. Here, I was faced with an interesting challenge: how to make a piece that is accessible to the average singer of a church choir and those in the assembly - i.e. not too difficult to perform - and, at the same time, a piece that might hopefully remain interesting
and fresh. It was this “balance” that I strived to attain as Misa del Pueblo found its expression through me.
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Thanks to my friend and colleague Shulamit Hoffmann for suggesting and encouraging me to create this new concert version of Misa del Pueblo. Thanks also to Fr. Kevin Joyce, who was a constant inspiration as this music was first conceived. It is my hope that members of Viva la Musica! and all who perform and listen to it will find it enjoyable.
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Text and Translation
Señor Ten Piedad
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Señor ten piedad de nosotros. Lord have mercy on us.
Jesucristo ten piedad de nosotros. Christ have mercy on us.
Señor ten piedad de nosotros. Lord have mercy on us.
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Gloria
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Gloria al Señor en el cielo, Glory to God in the Highest,
Gloria en la tierra; Glory on the Earth;
Gloria al Señor en el cielo, Glory to God in the Highest,
y en su pueblo paz. and on His people peace.
Te alabamos, te bendecimos, We praise you, we bless you
por tu inmensa gloria; for your great glory;
te adoramos, te glorificamos, we adore you, we glorify you,
te damos gracias! we give you thanks!
Hijo único, Jesucristo, Only son, Jesus Christ,
hijo del Padre; son of the Father;
Cordero de Dios que quitas Lamb of God who takes away
el pecado del mundo! the sin of the world!
Señor, Señor Dios. Lord, Lord God
ten piedad de nosotros; have mercy on us;
tu que estas sentado. you who are seated
a la derecha del Padre! at the right hand of the Father!
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Sólo tú eres Santo, Only you are Holy,
sólo tú Señor, only you are Lord,
sólo tú Altisimo, only you are the Most High,
Jesucristo; Jesus Christ;
con el Espiritu Santo with the Holy Spirit
en la gloria de Dios! in the glory of God!​
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Por Eso
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Por eso, Therefore,
con los angeles y con todos los santos, with the angels and all of the saints,
Te alabamos, we praise You,
diciendo sin cesar: saying without pause:
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Santo
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Santo, Santo, Santo es el Señor, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord,
Dios del Universo. God of the Universe.
Llenos están el cielo y la tierra de tu gloria. Filled are the heavens and the earth with your glory.
Hosanna en el cielo. Hosanna in the highest.
Bendito el que viene Blessed is he who comes
en el nombre den Señor. in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna en el cielo. Hosanna in the highest.
Por Tu Cruz
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Por tu cruz y resurrectión, Through your cross and resurrection,
nos has salvado Señor, you have saved us Lord,
Salvador, Salvador del mundo, Savior, Savior of the world,
sálvanos, Salvador; save us, Savior;
sálvanos, Salvador! save us, Savior!
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Por Cristo
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Por Cristo, Through Christ,
con el y en El, with him and in him,
a Ti, Dios Padre omnipotente, to You, Almighty Omnipotent God,
en la unidad del Espiritu Santo, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
todo honor y toda gloria, all honor and all glory,
por los siglos de los siglos: through the ages of the ages:
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Amen
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Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen,
si Señor, yes Lord,
Amen! Amen!
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Cordero De Dios
Cordero de Dios, que quitas. Lamb of God, who takes away
el pecado del mundo, the sin of the world,
ten piedad de nosotros. have mercy on us.
Cordero de Dios, que quitas. Lamb of God, who takes away
el pecado del mundo, the sin of the world,
danos la paz! give us peace!​​​​​