Choral Prelude
Alma Redemptoris Mater – G. P. da Palestrina (1525-1594)
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina is the most famous composer of the Italian Renaissance, the most highly regarded composer of polyphonic Church music, and the epitome of 16th Century counterpoint (a technique of composing music). His music has been beloved from the beginning, it has never gone out of style, and is in constant use in churches all over the world.
Sweet Mother of our Redeemer, gate whereby we enter heaven, and star of the sea: help thy falling people who long to rise. Thou who bore thy holy Creator, as nature marveled, virgin both before and after receiving that “Ave” from the mouth of Gabriel: have mercy on us sinners. (Marian antiphon, Christmas season)
Kyrie and Agnus Dei
Over the last 1500 years or so, many of what we now call Gregorian chant settings of the Mass Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus & Agnus Dei) have been composed for use in churches and monasteries throughout Christendom. The restoration and practical codification of the Gregorian repertory in the 19th Century is a long and fascinating tale, culminating in the setting forth of thousands of pieces of chant for use at certain times and places, encompassing the whole Liturgical Year. A part of this plan is for parishes to use eighteen Mass Ordinary settings, handily called Mass I, Mass II, etc., each for particular seasons or feasts, e.g., Mass I for Easter, Mass XI for Ordinary Time, etc., plus additional chants ad libitum (in other words, use them when you wish). The brilliant and famous English priest, Fr. Adrian Fortescue, insisted that his congregation know how to sing all eighteen Mass settings, for which he held weekly parish rehearsals! I emntion all this only to point out that the Kyrie and Agnus Dei which we sing during this season are two which the 19th Cent. monks have suggested we use during Advent. And so we are!
Offertory Motet
Rejoice in the Lord Alway – Anonymous, Mulliner Book (16th Cent.)
Tudor English choral music is a vast store of riches, this being a famous albeit small example. Our anonymous composer has clearly considered the text very carefully and cleverly illuminated its sentiments.
Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice. Let your softness be known unto all men: the Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing: but in all prayer and supplication, let your petitions be manifest unto God with giving of thanks. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesu. Amen. (Introit for the Third Sunday of Advent)
Communion Motets
Dicite: Pusillanimes – H. Isaac (1450-1517)
A contemporary of the more famous Josquin dez Prez (c. 1450/1455–1521), Isaac was amazingly prolific, leaving us with lots of wonderful music for church use. And how often do you see the word "pusillanimous" in chant or Renaissance music?
Say: “Take courage, you who are fainthearted, and do not fear; behold, our God will come and he will save us.” (Is. 35:4)
Magnificat anima mea – J. Kelecom (b. 1977)
This beautiful setting of the Magnificat is based on the Gospel Canticle tone VII, here arranged for four voices by a young composer from The Netherlands.
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoiceth in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. (Luke 1: 46–55; Gospel Canticle at Vespers)
Organ Postlude
While instrumental music is allowed on Gaudete Sunday, we give the prelude to our wonderful band of singers, and the postlude to a quiet time of meditation for those receiving Holy Communion. If you’d like to hear me play some organ music this weekend, I have recorded
a concert for broadcast tonight (Saturday) at 7:30. I hope you enjoy it! https://boxcast.tv/view/saint-marks-music-series---an-organ-recital-with-scott-turkington-473834