Music for Advent-1-B (Nov 27)

Prelude:           Lob sei dem allmachtigen Gott: Bach
Processional Hymn: 195: Creator Of The Stars Of Night
Penitential Rite:  Missa XVII (salve): chant
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Gloria:            -none-
Readings:          478
Intercessions:     115: Lord hear our prayer
Offertory:         (NCAB p 201) King of Glory: Herbert/Bach
Acclamations:      185: Missa XVIII (simplex): chant
                   104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Agnus Dei:         Missa XVII (salve): chant
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Communion Hymn:    308: Abba Father
Final Hymn:        190: O Come O Come Emmanuel
Postlude:          Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes Sohn: Bach

Music Notes:


Happy Liturgical New Year to all! The New Church Year begins today, and for the next twelve months our Scripture texts will be found in the Hymnals under the headings "Sunday B" and "Weekday 2".


This year we will experience a full four weeks of Advent since Christmas falls on a Sunday. The Season of Advent is quieter and hope-filled and our music expresses our introspection and expectation through chants and hymns and gentle smaller organ works. Our Introductory Rite is noticeably more penitential: the Kyrie becomes more prominent as we set aside the Gloria (except for Dec 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and Dec 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe).


Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) planned a collection of 164 chorale preludes (a short piece based on a hymn tune, to be played before the congregation sings the hymn), but completed only 45 of the contemplated number, apparently concentrating on hymns of the main feasts of the church year. The melodies are treated directly, without episodes between verse lines, and only slightly adorned with passing notes (notes inserted between melody notes). Two of his four Advent chorales are heard today as our prelude and postlude.


At Offertory, "King of Glory, King of Peace" combines an English poem by George Herbert (1593-1632) with music by Bach.

Music for (Nov 24) Thanksgiving Day

Prelude:           Prelude in F: Thayer
Processional Hymn: 320: Come Ye Thankful People Come
Penitential Rite:  -spoken-
Gloria:            Gloria de Lourdes: Lecot/Berry
Readings:          771 (weekday one)
Intercessions:     -spoken-
Offertory:         (NCAB p 484) Thou visitest the earth: Greene
Acclamations:      103-104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Agnus Dei:         108: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Communion Hymn:    358: There Is A Balm In Gilead
Final Hymn:        474: America The Beautiful
Postlude:          Festival Postlude in G: Thayer

Music Notes:


Maurice Greene (1695-1755), born in London, was a chorister at St Paul Cathedral; took organ lessons (1710) and became organist at St Dunstan in the West (1716) then at St Andrew (1717); appointed Master of the King's Band (1718); published 40 anthems (1743); inherited a large estate (1750) which enabled him to work on a collection of Cathedral music with publication in mind, it was left incomplete at his death and finished by William Boyce (c1710-1779).


Whitney Eugene Thayer (1838-1889) born in Mendon MA, studied with John Knowles Paine at Harvard (after 1862), then studied two years in Germany; organist of several Boston churches; faculty member of New England Conservatory (opened 1867); published a comprehensive course of organ study (1874, five volumes); opened a private organ studio in Boston (1875); edited two periodicals for organists and choir directors, directed various musical organizations, composed many pieces for church and recital use; much in demand as a recitalist in his younger years. Spent latter part of his life in New York as teacher and composer, and was organist of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (1881-86).

Music for OT-34-A (Nov 20) Christ The King

Prelude:           Vesper Voluntaries VI: Elgar
Processional Hymn: 283: Crown Him With Many Crowns
Penitential Rite:  -spoken-
Gloria:            Gloria de Lourdes: Lecot/Berry
Readings:          677
Intercessions:     -spoken-
Offertory:         (CFC p 206) Lo he comes with clouds descending: Wesley/Willcocks
Acclamations:      103-104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Agnus Dei:         108: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Communion Hymn:    366: Whatsoever You Do
Final Hymn:        287: To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King
Postlude:          Imperial March: Elgar

Music Notes:


Sir Edward William Elgar (1857-1934), born in Broadheath England, had a few music lessons with his father [music shop keeper in Worcester, organist (1846-85) at St George Catholic Church] but was mostly self-taught (violinist, bassoonist, conductor);
succeeded his father as organist (1885-88). Slowly his reputation spread; "Enigma Variations (1899)" launched his international fame. National awards: Knight (1904); Order of Merit (1911); succeeded Sir Walter Parratt as Master of the King's Musick (1924); Baronet (1931). Wrote songs, oratorios, cantatas, symphonies, overtures, concertos, marches, chamber music.


The "Vesper Voluntaries (Opus 14, 1889)" for organ were composed in Upper Norwood, South London, shortly after his wedding; the set has eleven sections (Introduction, I-IV, Intermezzo, V-VIII, Coda).


The "Imperial March (Opus 32, 1897)" for orchestra was composed for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1819-r1837-1901 at whose death it was said had a worldwide empire on which the sun never set); it was arranged for organ by Sir George Clement Martin (1844-1916) who in 1888 succeeded Sir John Stainer (1840-1901) as organist of
Saint Paul Cathedral.

Music for OT-33-A (Nov 13)

Prelude:           Allegro Pomposo: Adams
Processional Hymn: 290: The Works of the Lord Are Created
Penitential Rite:  -spoken-
Gloria:            Gloria de Lourdes: Lecot
Readings:          674
Intercessions:     -spoken-
Offertory:         (score p 1) Requiem-Kyrie: Rutter
Acclamations:      103-104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Agnus Dei:         108: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Communion Hymn:    346: Be Not Afraid
Final Hymn:        318: Let All Things Now Living
Postlude:          Grand Choeur: Adams

Music Notes:


Thomas Adams (1850-1918) was born in England, and was one of many composers to contribute to the large volume of organ music composed for concert performances and church services in the 1800s. The prelude and postlude are part of an unbroken
strand of English "Romantic" music even found in the present day. His music is easy on the ears, and his stylistic characteristics clearly reflect his Victorian age.


John Rutter (1945-) born in London England, received his first musical training as a chorister at Highgate School; studied music at Clare College (Cambridge) where he wrote his first published compositions and conducted his first recordings; Director of Music at Clare College (1975-79); formed Cambridge Singers as a professional chamber choir primarily dedicated to recording; divides time among composing, conducting, lecturing (concert halls, universities, churches, music festivals, conferences) in Europe, Scandinavia, North America. Honorary Fellow of Westminster Choir College Princeton (1980); Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians (1988); Lambeth Doctorate of Music (1996). Compositions: large and small choral works, orchestra and instrumental pieces, piano concerto, two children's operas, television music. "Sanctus" is from his
"Requiem (1985)".

Music for OT-32-A (Nov 6)

Prelude:           Introductory Voluntary: Rowton
Processional Hymn: 315: Sing A New Song Unto The Lord
Penitential Rite:  -spoken-
Gloria:            (5) Gloria: Anderson
                   Gloria de Lourdes: Lecot/Berry
Readings:          671
Intercessions:     -spoken-
Offertory:         (5) 344: Shepherd Me O God
                   (score p __) Sanctus: Rutter
Acclamations:      103-104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Agnus Dei:         108: Mass of Creation: Haugen
Communion Hymn:    (5) Give Me Jesus
                   848: Soul Of My Savior
Final Hymn:        (5) 297: I Want To Walk
                   425: Ye Watchers And Ye Holy Ones
Postlude:          Allegro Alla Marcia: Peace

Music Notes:


At the Sat 5pm Vigil Mass, members of Grade Seven will be lectors, and the School Choir will lead our singing.


Samuel James Rowton (1844-1930) was educated at the University of Durham (1871 BA, 1874 MA, 1890 BMus, 1891 DMus) and Trinity College Dublin (1889 BMus, 1890 DMus). A Church of England priest (ordained 1872), he served as: assistant master at Epsom College (1872-1901), precentor of Bradfield College (1901-1907), curate of Christ Church Scarborough (1907-8), curate of St Michael and All Angels Folkestone (1908-15), rector of Wicken Bonant (1915-16), Fulletby (1916-22), curate-in-charge of Orby (1922-27).


Albert Lister Peace (1844-1912) born in Huddersfield Yorkshire England; age 5 showed extraordinary musical talent; from age 9 organist at several churches in Yorkshire and Glasgow; after Church of Scotland lifted ban on organs he was much in demand for dedication recitals (1865-); graduated Oxford (1870 BMus 1875 DMus); Glasgow University organist and several minor posts (1870-80); first post-Reformation organist at Glasgow Cathedral (1879-97) then at St George Hall Liverpool(1897-).


John Rutter (1945-) born in London England, received his first musical training as a chorister at Highgate School; studied music at Clare College (Cambridge) where he wrote his first published compositions and conducted his first recordings; Director of Music at Clare College (1975-79); formed Cambridge Singers as a professional chamber choir primarily dedicated to recording; divides time among composing, conducting, lecturing (concert halls, universities, churches, music festivals, conferences) in Europe, Scandinavia, North America. Honorary Fellow of Westminster Choir College Princeton (1980); Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians (1988); Lambeth Doctorate of Music (1996). Compositions: large and small choral works, orchestra and instrumental pieces, piano concerto, two children's operas, television music. "Sanctus" is from his
"Requiem (1985)".