C. Alexander Peloquin (June 16, 1918February 27, 1997) was an American composer of liturgical music, pianist, teacher, cathedral organist and director of music ministries. Inspired by the Second Vatican Council reforms, he is known for composing the first Roman Catholic Mass sung in English.Tribute prepared by National Association of Pastoral Musicians, "Alexander Pleoquin", Liturgical Pioneers Pastoral Musicians and Liturgists, Pastoral Music, April–May, 1997. pg. 10, reprint https://liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexander-peloquin.html Retrieved 2011-8-16
Biography
Peloquin was born in Northbridge, Massachusetts, the son of Noe G. and Marie Louise (Bernard) Peloquin. Peloquin began his musical training at the age of eight, studying piano and organ. At the age of eleven, he performed classical piano on his own radio program for WTAG in Worcester, Massachusetts."C. Alexander Peloquin Dies. B.C.'s composer-in-residence helped shape church music", Boston College, The Boston College Chronicle, March 13, 1997, Vol. 5, No. 13 http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v5/Mr13/peloquin.html Retrieved 2011-8-16 Peloquin went on to study at the New England Conservatory where he earned a Boston Symphony Orchestra Scholarship to the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. At Tanglewood, Peloquin served as piano soloist for Leonard Bernstein and his orchestra. Also at that time, Peloquin had the privilege of knowing Aaron Copland.Dykstra, Elaine P. "Dr. C. Alexander Peloquin", The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, http://www.cathedralprovidence.org/alex.html Retrieved 2011-8-16"C. Alexander Peloquin Dies." http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v5/Mr13/peloquin.html , Retrieved 2011-8-16 Peloquin was awarded honorary degrees by institutions including Brown University. Boston Area Music Libraries, Solow, Linda I., editor, "The Boston Composers Project" "A Bibliography of Contemporary Music", Cambridge, Massachusetts, The MIT Press, 1983, p. 365,
During World War II, Peloquin served in the Army where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He served as bandmaster for the 314th Army Band and performed the music of George Gershwin for servicemen serving throughout Europe and North Africa. He also conducted music for Jewish, Catholic and Protestant services.Tribute prepared by National Association of Pastoral Musicians, https://liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexander-peloquin.html, Retrieved 2011-8-16
After the war Peloquin began a 13-year relationship with The Catholic Hour, which was syndicated first on NBC radio and then on CBS television. In 1950, Peloquin became the organist and Director of Music Ministries of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (Providence, Rhode Island) and remained until his retirement in 1991. As director he formed the Peloquin Chorale, an organization of singers who of performed and premiered Peloquin's compositions over the years in concerts, liturgies and recordings. In 1955, Peloquin became a faculty member and composer-in-residence at Boston College, a career that spanned 38 years. He was also the conductor of the college's Glee Club and immediately set out to broaden the repertoire of the choir by including women when the college became co-ed in 1970. The choir went on to become the University Chorale of Boston College. Both the Peloquin Chorale and the University Chorale of Boston College were instrumental in introducing his most innovative compositions to the world and often performed together during most of the premier performances of Peloquin's works.Dykstra, Elaine P., http://www.cathedralprovidence.org/alex.html , Retrieved 2011-8-16"C. Alexander Peloquin Dies." http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v5/Mr13/peloquin.html , Retrieved 2011-8-16Tribute prepared by National Association of Pastoral Musicians, https://liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexander-peloquin.html, Retrieved 2011-8-16
Some prominent events in Peloquin's career include:
1964 – During National Liturgical Week in St. Louis, Missouri, Peloquin unveiled the first English High Mass ever sung in the United States. This event elevated Peloquin to national prominence as one of the few classically trained composers inspired by the reforms set out in the Second Vatican Council.Tribute prepared by National Association of Pastoral Musicians, https://liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexander-peloquin.html, Retrieved 2011-8-16
1968 – After the April assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Peloquin collaborated with poet Thomas Merton on his composition "Four Freedom Songs", in honor of Dr. King. The work was first performed at Ebenezer Baptist Church, just months after King was slain.Dykstra, Elaine P., http://www.cathedralprovidence.org/alex.html , Retrieved 2011-8-16
1979 – Peloquin conducted a choir of 300 for a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in Chicago's Grant Park (Chicago). This Mass was attended by 1.5 million people. During the Pope's visit in America at this time, Peloquin's music was performed at every Mass on the Pope's itinerary."C. Alexander Peloquin Dies." http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/rvp/pubaf/chronicle/v5/Mr13/peloquin.html , Retrieved 2011-8-16
1980 – Dave Brubeck selected Peloquin and the Peloquin Chorale to premier his Mass To Hope! A Celebration, (formally known as To Hope! A Mass for a New Decade) in celebration of his conversion to Catholicism.Dykstra, Elaine P., http://www.cathedralprovidence.org/alex.html , Retrieved 2011-8-16
Peloquin died February 27, 1997, at the Bethany Home in Providence, Rhode Island, from the effects of a stroke he suffered on February 12 of the same year.Gray, Channing, "In Memoriam, Alexander Peloquin, Composer, Conductor, Friend, 1918–1997", Obituary as it appeared in the Providence Journal, February 28, 2011, http://www.cathedralprovidence.org/alexobituary.html Retrieved 2011-8-16 Peloquin never married and had no children. A sister survived him.
Music
Peloquin wrote more than 150 scores. Most of his music is written for SATB choir and soloists as well as for women's voices (SSA), men's voices (3 parts) and involves a combination of piano, organ and orchestra. Peloquin also made a point of composing melodies with simple refrains to encourage participation of the congregation. "A lot of religious music today is boring," he once said, "and I don't think worship calls us to boredom.""Tribute prepared by National Association of Pastoral Musicians, https://liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexander-peloquin.html, Retrieved 2011-8-16 His music combines traditional music written for the church with elements of Gregorian chant, jazz-like rhythms and harmonies reminiscent of George Gershwin, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein."Tribute prepared by National Association of Pastoral Musicians, https://liturgicalleaders.blogspot.com/2008/09/alexander-peloquin.html, Retrieved 2011-8-16 Alex was also interested in incorporating syncopated rhythms into several of his compositions. An example of this can be found in his Lord of Life Mass commissioned by Terence Cardinal Cooke Archbishop of New York in 1980. Titled "People Matter" the composition is an arrangement based on a hymn by Dutch composer Fred Kaan (1929–2009). It is intended to be performed during Offertory and it begins with the syncopated rhythms of percussion and double bass where after two measures the altos are joined by trumpet "con sordino".Peloquin, Alexander, “Lord of Life” “A Liturgy Celebrating the Year of the Family”, Chicago, Illinois, G.I.A. Publications, Inc., 1981, p.62, ISBN G-2402FS, full score
Many of his compositions were in response to commissions from churches, universities and religious orders throughout the United States and Canada. The texts used in these compositions were based upon the writings of a wide range of religious thinkers of all faiths, including Pope John Paul II.Dykstra, Elaine P., http://www.cathedralprovidence.org/alex.html , Retrieved 2011-8-16
Works Key: BPL- Boston Public Library Music Dept., Research Division, Copley Square, Boston, MA 02117 HU- Harvard University, Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, Cambridge, MA 02138 G.I.A.- Gregorian Institute of America ms. – manuscript
Ecce sacerdos (1954) For: SATB and organ. Text: Roman Liturgy, Dedicated to the Most Rev. Russell J. McVinney, D.D., the Bishop of Providence. Vocal score: McLaughlin, 1954. BPL. LP: Gregorian Institute Records, 1961. Ecce sacerdos (1954) For: chorus (unison) and organ. Text: Roman liturgy. Vocal score: McLaughlin, 1954. Happy Holiday, O Welcome! (1954) For: chorus (mixed). Text: Anon. Dedicated to: Theodore Marier. Vocal score: McLaughlin 1954, BPL. Vocal score: G.I.A. Our Father (1954) For: chorus (mixed). Text: Bible, N.T., Matthew 6:9–13. Dedication: In memory of my father. Used for several years by WEAM-AM, Providence, Rhode Island, as a sign-off. Vocal score: McLaughlin 1955. BPL. LP: Hymns Thru the Centuries, Gregorian Institute Records. Upon This Night (1954) For: SATB and organ. Text: Omer Goulet. Dedication: To my mother. Vocal score: McLaughlin, 1954, Vocal score: G.I.A. Hail Mary (1954) For: chorus (mixed). Text: Anon. Vocal score: McLaughlin, 1954. BPL. LP: Hymns Thru the Centuries, Gregorian Institute Records. Ave Maria (1955) For: SATB and organ (optional). Vocal score: World Library of Sacred Music, 1955. BPL Four Choral Processionals (1955) For: TTB or TTBB. Text: Hymns of the Catholic Church. Vocal score: World Library of Sacred Music, 1955. BPL Holy God We Praise Thy Name The God Whom Earth and Sea O Mary of All Women Blessed Be Our God Motets for Benediction (1955) For: voices (equal) (3). Dedicated to: The Men's Choir, Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence, Rhode Island. Vocal score: World Library of Sacred Music, 1955. BPL O Saving Victim Hail Star of the Sea Therefore We Before Him Bending Give Praise to the Lord Missa Sancti Bernadi (1956) For: chorus (mixed). Dedicated to: Alexander Bernard (died 1918 in France). O Blessed Trinity (1956) For: chorus (unison) and organ. Text: Roman Liturgy Vocal Score: World Library of Sacred Music. Noel nouvelet (1957) For: SATB. Dedicated to The Welch Chorale N.Y.C.. Vocal score: Flammer. LP: Christmas Carols and Noels, Gregorian Institute Records. Peloquin Chorale. Missa Christus Rex (1957–58) For: chorus (treble), chorus (men, 3 – part), trumpets (3), timpani, organ. Commissioned for: 50th Anniversary of Archbishop Cicognani. First performed: 1958: Trinity College Chapel, Washington D.C. Seminarians. Score and parts: G.I.A. Vocal score: G.I.A., 1958. BPL Kyrie and Gloria from Missa Christus Rex (1957–58) For: chorus (treble), chorus (men, 3 – part), trumpets (3), timpani, organ. LP: Thirteen Centuries of Christian Choral Art, Gregorian Institute Records E1-100, 197-. March for Joyous Occasions (1958) For: organ. Score: McLaughlin, 1958. BPL Turba Choruses from the Passion of St. Matthew as Sung on the Second Sunday of the Passion (1958) For: chorus (men) (3 – part). Text: Liber usualis. Dedicated to: Russell Davis. First performed 1958, St. John's Seminary, Boston. Vocal score: McLaughlin, 1958. BPL The Lourdes Hymn (1958) For: SATB. Vocal score: McLaughlin, 1958. BPL Hommage a Purcell (1958)For: organ. Commissioned by: McLaughlin and Reilly. Dedicated to: Berj Zamkochian. Score: McLaughlin, 1968 Partita on the Lourdes Hymn (1959) For: organ, 10 movements. Dedicated to: Flor Peeters, Belgium. Score: McLaughlin, 1959. BPL Laudate Dominum: Give Praise to the Lord (1959) For: chorus (mixed), trumpets (3), trombones (3), tuba, timpani, organ. Winner of Caecilia Medal (Boys Town). Dedicated to: James B. Welch and The Welch Chorale N.Y.C. (1959) Vocal score: G.I.A., 1959. Introit for All Saints Day (1960) 3', For: chorus (SATB). Text: Roman Liturgy. Dedicated to: Henry Hokans. First performed: Nov.1, 1960; Worcester, Massachusetts.