Meditazione sopra Ubi caritas (featuring the Bow Bells)

Carlotta Ferrari (b. 1975) is an Italian composer. Educated at the Conservatory in Milan, she has composed in many genres, developing a personal language that is concerned with the blend of past and present. Her compositions have been performed frequently around the world. Ferrari’s music appears on several CD recordings, including seven all-Ferrari organ CDs: four recorded by Carson Cooman (2014/16/18) and three by Peter Clark (2015/16/18). She served as chair of music composition at Hebei Normal University in Shijiazhuang, China and is currently professor of music composition at the European School of Economics in Florence, Italy.

"Meditazione sopra 'Ubi caritas'" was composed in 2019, and is based upon the traditional chant, "Ubi caritas" which is generally sung on Holy/Maundy Thursday during the Ceremony of the Washing of Feet.

This performance features the Bow Bells (Zimbelstern) as indicated in the score.

If the idea of "bells" on Maundy Thursday seems odd to you, it is the tradition for bells to be rung during the singing of "Gloria in excelsis," the only time that the Gloria may be sung during Lent.

The complete text of "Ubi caritas" is given in the First Comment.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Carlotta Ferrari.

More uploads for Passiontide and Easter Sunday coming!