Foreword
Tord Kalvenes (b. 1989) is a Norwegian composer writing mainly vocal music,
educated in musicology at Oslo university and composition studies at The
Norwegian Academy of Music. Missa de Lumine is a piece written in two
periods. The Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei were written in 2014 and given the
title Missa Brevis, also published by Cantando Musikkforlag. Missa Brevis was
part of Kalvenes` master`s degree in musicology, focusing on compositional
techniques in contemporary choral music.
In 2018, the Director of Music at Bergen Cathedral, Kjetil Almenning,
commisioned the movements Gloria and Credo, which gave Kalvenes a chance
to complete the mass with all movements forming the piece Missa de Lumine.
The whole piece is influenced by Baroque music like Monteverdi and Bach.
Also modern contemporary composers such as for example Arvo Pärt and the
tintinnabuli-style along with Norwegian composers such as Nystedt and
Kverno has given Kalvenes inspiration. Kalvenes seeks to write in an expressive
style that also aims to make the text clear for the listener.