Article in Palio de Plata

Ego Sum Lux Mundi “I am the Light of the World”, is a processional march dedicated to the Señor de la Humildad y Paciencia of Malaga. This composition describes the moment in which the Lord carries his Cross towards Golgotha, moments before being Crucified.

It is a solemn but powerful march, full of sweet melodies, especially in the piano parts. Each of the parts of this composition represents a moment of that bitter path of the Lord, highlighting the one represented by this Sacred Image. These differentiated parts are marked by a brief description headed by messages, all of which is reflected in the score.  

“And carrying your cross, you go to that place called Golgotha”
With this quote the march begins, in the key of ‘F Minor’. It begins on piano, with the flugelhorn melody predominating, an instrument that will play an important role in practically the entire march. The Cornet 1 accompanies the Flugelhorn, the rest of the instruments make the harmonic base. At the end of this first part, Trumpet 1 participates with a melody that ends with a sustained note giving suspense at the end of this phrase, announcing the forte, expressed with pain and suffering.

Mary, your Mother, who shares your pain and suffering, accompanies you on the way to Calvary”
Fortissimo in Tutti in which there is a change of key to ‘C Minor’, a key that will be maintained until the end of the march. The theme ends in decrescendo giving way to the following phrase on piano.

“You barely take the first steps under the enormous weight of the Cross, and you fall for the first time”
It represents the first of the three falls of Jesus. It is a piano whose protagonist is the melody of Corneta 1ª, this being sweet in character. It accompanies the Euphonium in counterpoint, adding the 1st Trumpet at the end of the phrase, interpreting the same Cornet melody with some variation. The main melody describes the suffering of Jesus for not being able to support the weight of the Cross.

“You manage to get up, and when you look up you see your Mother, who wants to tell you her last word and receive your last look”
This part consists of a Cornet Solo with Flugelhorn accompaniment. It expresses the dialogue between Jesus and his Mother.

“But you fall a second time”
It represents the second fall of Jesus. Thus, he returns to the theme before the Solo, describing the same thing as in the first fall. At the end of the phrase there is a crescendo giving way to the next part in fortissimo. 

“You can no longer stand up under the enormous weight of the Cross, the thorns are sinking more and more into your head”, “it is Veronica who cleans your face covered in blood with a cloth”
Fortissimo in Tutti that describes the rage and impotence at finding himself with less and less strength to continue on his way to Calvary with the Cross on his back.

“Your enemies, in rage, push you and make you fall for the third time”
Bass seccion Forte with flugelhorn accompaniment. The Cornet 1st makes a sustained note throughout the phrase, giving greater suspense and as an accompaniment to the Bass melody, expressing the rage for this third fall.

“Your clothes are ripped off along with the crown of thorns, opening your wounds again”
Solo Cornet with accompaniment of two different melodies, on the one hand that of Trumpet 1st and on the other that of Trombone and Euphonium. These melodies will be repeated in each of the parts that follow, being performed by different instruments in each of them. It is a dialogue between the soldiers who draw lots for the garments of Jesus.

“You await with humility and patience the moment of your crucifixion”
Mezzoforte played by the 1st Cornet and the Flugelhorn. This melody matches with the one previously made by the 1st Trumpet. In this case, the 1st Trumpet imitates the Bass melody of the previous phrase, and the Basses repeat the melody that belonged to the forte of the theme of the third fall.

“Jesus is crucified”
Fortissimo in Tutti, in which the 1st Cornet together with the 1st Trumpet, play the same melody, with variations, of the Bass forte of the third fall. On the other hand, the 1st Cornet together with the Trombone and Euphonium, make a second phrase, with variations, repeating the Bass melody of the previous part. The rest of the instruments accompany with a lively and accentuated rhythm. The percussion sets the ‘slow’ rhythm. It represents the moment where Jesus is stretched out on the Cross, looking at the executioners, who have in their hands the nails and the hammer that they will use to crucify him.

“Father, in your hands I entrust my spirit”
The 1st Trumpet as the main voice, performs arpeggios throughout the phrase, accompanied by the Trombone counterpoint. The Percussion, in this case the Bass Drum, interprets a marked and happy rhythm in three different tunings, giving more depth to the main motiv and expressing the painful moment that Jesus is going through. The end of this part ends in decrescendo, leading to a forte of the bass section, which gives way to a piano and then grows to reach the final part of the march.

“And saying his last sentence, the Son of God expired”
The march ends in Fortissimo in Tutti where all the feelings of this bitter road are expressed.
Jesus gave and left his life. He bowed his head and gave his spirit to the Father.