The early work
Gloria Patri (1992) was a partial essay in minimalism, although Dubra’s particular brand always carries with it opulent melodic lines. Dubra describes his approach to this piece as an instrumental one to which he would be unlikely to return. The opening, like the A flat major
Ave Maria III, creates the atmosphere of a multitude in prayer. Over this ever-increasing cacophony soars a soprano chant which in turn leads into a homophonic hymn of praise from the whole choir. A minimalist texture is created at ‘Sicut erat in principio’ against which the sopranos emerge once again with their familiar chant. An intense, repetitious build up for ‘et in saecula saeculorum’ unexpectedly gives way to a hushed ‘Amen’. With a pivotal twist to B major, Dubra adds a meditative ‘Alleluia’ section. However he chooses to break the hypnotic spell of this passage with an unresolved, and indeed unexpected, chord.
from notes by Rupert Gough © 2009
;)
