Music for Advent-4-B (Dec 18)

Prelude:           Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland: Bach
Processional Hymn: 200: Savior Of The Nations Come
Penitential Rite:  Missa XVII (salve): chant
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Gloria:            -none-during-Advent-
Readings:          487
Intercessions:     115: Lord hear our prayer
Offertory:         (11) (ESM p 167) Ave Maria: Desprez
Acclamations:      185: Missa XVIII (simplex) Sanctus: chant
                   104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Agnus Dei:         Missa XVII (salve): chant
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Communion Hymn:    191: People Look East
Final Hymn:        211: Of The Father's Love Begotten
Postlude:          The King Shall Come: Johnson

Music Notes:


Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) planned a set of 164 chorale Preludes which included a set of four for Advent; "Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland (BWV 599)" is the German equivalent of our Processional Hymn (#200).


David N Johnson (1922-1988) a prolific and highly regarded church music composer, was music department chairman (Alfred University in New York, St Olaf College in Minnesota) and organ department chairman (Syracuse U), professor of music (Arizona State U). Composer of much music for church choirs and organ; author of "Instruction Book of Beginning Organists (1964)" and "Organ Teachers Guide (1971)".


"The King Shall Come (1973)" presents the hymn tune (#193) in A-B-A form: melody as topmost voice with thick chordal harmonic support; melody played by the feet with
toccata-like figurations for the hands; a repeat of the beginning.


Josquin Desprez (c1440-1521) perhaps a native of the Vermandois region of Picardy Italy; sang (1459-72) at Milan Cathedral, cantor (1476) for Galeazzo Maria Sforza, and (1476-1504) for Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, during which he spent some time in Rome.
Went to France, probably at Louis XII court; choirmaster (1503) at Ferrara court; then (1504) in Conde at Notre Dame; maybe at court (1508-11) at Margaret of Austria. Several portraits survive, one attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.


The "Ave Maria" text is: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, fair virgin,
Hail to you whose conception, of holy joy, fills heaven and earth with new rejoicing. Hail to you whose birth we celebrated, like the day-star rising, foretelling the true Sun. Hail, holy and humble one, fruitful without a man, you whose annunciation was our salvation. Hail, true virginity, spotless chastity, whose purification cleansed us also. Hail to you who excel in all the angelic virtues, you whose assumption glorified us also. O Mother of God, remember me. Amen."

Music for Advent-3-B (Dec 11) Gaudete

Prelude:           Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen: Brahms
Processional Hymn: 194: On Jordan's Bank
Penitential Rite:  Missa XVII (salve): chant
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Gloria:            -none-during-Advent-
Readings:          484
Intercessions:     115: Lord hear our prayer
Offertory:         (CFC p 210) Lo, how a rose e'er blooming: Praetorius
Acclamations:      185: Missa XVIII (simplex) Sanctus: chant
                   104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Agnus Dei:         Missa XVII (salve): chant
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Communion Hymn:    196: O Come Divine Messiah
Final Hymn:        6: Now Bless The God Of Israel
Postlude:          Schmucke dich, o liebe Seele: Brahms

Music Notes:


Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) born in Creuzburg an der Werra, Thuringen Germany. At University of Frankfurt an der Oder, studied theology (1585-) and was an organist. In Wolfenbuttel, became organist (1592/5?) then master of choir music (1604-13) to Duke Heinrich Julius von Braunschweig. In Dresden, court musician (1613-16) for Kurfurst
von Sachsen (Elector of Saxony). Returned to Wolfenbuttel, but from that time on traveled frequently in central Germany and was very active as a musical adviser and organizer.


Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) born in Hamburg Germany to musical but poor family; his father (a double bass player) encouraged his piano and composition lessons. He desired to be conductor and composer; worked in Dusseldorf, Detmold, Hamburg, Vienna; his "German Requiem (1869)" brought critical acclaim and financial security. Wrote symphonies, concertos, chamber pieces, art songs, etc., and a very few organ works including "Eleven Chorale Preludes (Opus 122, Summer 1896)".


Please join us on Sunday at 5 pm for Solemn Vespers (~35 min) in the Church, followed by a Dessert Social and Holiday Sing-along in the School Hall. Please bring a holiday dessert to share; we will provide beverages (hot chocolate, tea, cider, eggnog, etc).

Music for Advent-2-B (Dec 4)

Prelude:           Sinfonia: Handel
Processional Hymn: (5) Stay Awake: Walker
                   194: On Jordan's Bank
Penitential Rite:  Missa XVII (salve): chant
                   (11) Missa Emmanuel: Proulx
Gloria:            -none-during-Advent-
Readings:          481
Intercessions:     115: Lord hear our prayer
Offertory:         (5) Everyday God: Farrell
                   (11) Comfort ye my people: Goudimel
Acclamations:      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:    193: The King Shall Come
Post-Communion:    (5) Listen My Friends: Ding/Hawn
Final Hymn:        198: Come O Long Expected Jesus
Postlude:          Pifa: Handel

Music Notes:


This weekend at Sat 5 pm Vigil Mass, Grade Two members are lectors, the School Choir leads our music.


Georg Friedrich Haendel (1685-1759) was born in Halle Germany, and started his music lessons at age 7. In 1702 the death-bed wish of his barber-surgeon father obligated him to divert his attention to law school; within a year he dropped out and went
to Hamburg as a violinist and composer. In 1706 he went to Italy and became a master of its opera, chamber, vocal music; in 1710 he returned to Germany and was appointed Kappellmeister to the Elector of Hanover, and made a brief visit to England. In 1712
he again went to England; his visit became permanent as the Elector begame George I of England.


His oratorio Messiah (Dublin 1742) uses the text of today’s First Reading (Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11) for movements 2, 3, 4, 9; the Sinfonia is the overture; the Pifa (pan-pipes) suggests the pastoral scene just before the angels announce the birth of Jesus.