Music for OT-31-B (Nov 5)

Prelude:           Adagio: Becker
Processional Hymn: (5) Saints Of God
                   310: Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above
Kyrie:             -spoken-
                   (11) Missa De Angelis: chant
Gloria:            (5) Glory To God: Anderson
                   113: Glory To God: Andrews
Readings:          669
Offertory:         (5) I will call upon the Lord
                   351: Where Charity And Love Prevail
Acclamations:      103-104-105: Mass of Creation: Haugen
                   (11) Missa De Angelis: chant
Agnus Dei:         187: Agnus Dei: chant
                   (11) Missa De Angelis: chant
Communion Hymn:    429: You Satisfy The Hungry Heart
Final Hymn:        312: Sing Of The Lord's Goodness
Postlude:          Christus, der ist mein Leben: Becker

Music Notes:


This weekend at the 5 pm Vigil Mass, the Music is led
by the School Choir; and Lectors are from Grade Seven.


Carl Ferdinand Becker (1804-1877), born in Germany;
studied piano, harmony, composition; in Leipzig, became
organist at Petrikirche (1825) then Nikolaikirche(1837-54);
organ professor (1843-56) at Leipzig Conservatory from its
founding as requested by Felix Mendelssohn; collaborator on
Robert Schuman's "Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik (New Journal
for Music)"; drew attention to 16c and 17c music. A music
collector, writer, bibliographer, editor; his extensive
library of music scores and theoretical works attracted
musical scholars of his time, he donated it (1856) to the
City Library of Leipzig where it remains to this day.


His chorale "Christus der ist mein Leben" sets the 1609
hymn tune of Melchior Vulpius (c1560-1615); the hymn text
by an unknown German poet adapts the Song of Simeon (Nunc
dimittis), here translated: "Christ is my life, to die is
my gain, to him I surrender myself, with joy I depart.
With joy I depart from here to Christ, my brother, so that
I may come to him and be with him for ever. Now I have
overcome affliction, suffering anxiety and distress; through
his five holy wounds I am reconciled with God. When my
strength breaks, my breathing becomes difficult and I can no
more say a word: Lord, accept my sighs! When my heart and
thoughts fade away like a light, that must flicker here and
there as the flame fails: then gently and calmly, Lord, let
me fall asleep according to your plan and wish, when the hour
of my death comes. And let me stick to you like a burr to
cloth and live forever with you in heaven's joy and bliss.
Amen, that you will, Christ, grant mercifully! Arm me with
your spirit so that I may go blessedly."