Simon Boswell on Santo Subito!

Notes

Santo Subito!
As John Paul II is about to enter the conclave in 1978, I begin with a very simple arrangement for piano and strings of ‘Christus Vincit’. 

Mount Sinai
This section opens with a musical statement of the most important prayer in Judaism: ‘Shema Yisrael’ (Remember Yisrael). Since the prayer itself contains references to the Ten Commandments it is highly appropriate to John Paul II’s recitation of the same. The Ten Commandments were introduced by Moshe in his last speech to his people before dying. From the simple two-note melody I elaborated a series of progressions into full orchestra to accompany the images of the Creation and the Ten Commandments.

Christ Saviour
In this clip John Paul II recalls Isaiah’s cry to ‘Go up on a high mountain’ and to ‘Shout without fear’. This liberating invitation together with the trance-like images inspired me to use Trip Hop as a basis for the music. Using parts of the Gregorian Chant ‘Victimae Paschali Laudes’ (Easter resurrection responsorial) I have attempted something that is dream-like and hypnotic, that might transport us beyond the everyday, to the top of our own mountain.

God, Our Father
In the first part I have combined the spirit of World Music from both Africa and India; in the second part, made a new arrangement of John Paul II himself singing the ‘Pater Noster’ accompanied by orchestra and ‘The Schola’ Boys Choir from London.

Spirit of Peace and Love
This clip reflects two different approaches to it’s subject, the visit of John Paul II to the concentration camp Brzezinka. Rather than write somber or sad music, I preferred the loneliness and dignity of one solo guitar. When the strings join it, I find their warmth somehow reassuring and then later, with the entry of the whole band, uplifting. I wanted to look forward and be positive. Who could refute John Paul II’s simple recollection: ‘No more wars!’ The middle part features the Gregorian Chant ‘Libera me Domine de morte aeterna’ (Lord free me from eternal death/when you will come to judge me) which, though atmospheric, is dignified and peaceful.

God of Mercy
Forgiveness and reconciliation among all people are represented in the beginning of this clip where John Paul II meets Alì Agca in jail. Using the Gregorian “Parce Domine’ ( Lord, Forgive us), as a basis, I have interpreted that theme for oboe and orchestra, later joined by bass, drums and flamenco guitar.

God Is Love
This orchestral piece features the choir singing the Gregorian theme ‘Ubi Caritas’ (Where God is, Love is). Creating harmony around a monotonic tune is a great challenge as one can change the context from reflective to uplifting by using minor or major chords - and every possibility inbetween.

I Am All Yours
A solo trumpet announces the theme from ‘The Praefatio’, sung in the holidays dedicated to Mother Mary, developed for full orchestra and later sung by John Paul II accompanied by strings. It is the very first time this chant sung by John Paul II has been recorded and orchestrated.

Mount of Beatitudes
This is an ambient soundscape featuring a choir performing the Gregorian chant ‘Beati mundo corde’ (Blessed are the pure hearts). They are later joined by a trance-like drum groove with piano and an upright bass. I was again inspired by the dreamlike texture of the images.

You Will Be My Witnesses
John Paul II’s funeral opens with the De Profundis by Giovanni Pacini. A sudden gust of wind introduces my composition, a requiem for John Paul II, performed by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and the ‘The Schola’ Boys Choir from the London Oratory School. The music emphasize the spiritual testament offered to the youth by John Paul II.