Music Notes for Sunday Masses
20 December 2020
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Choral Prelude
Canite tuba – 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, whose work represents the epitome of 16th Century counterpoint (a technique of composing music with which you're all familiar, even if you don't know it). His music has been cherished from the very beginning, it has never gone out of style, and is in constant use in churches all over the world. The five-part motet which we hear today has clear trumpet calls written right into the music, signaling the Coming of the Lord!
Blow the trumpet in Zion, for the day of the Lord is nigh. Lo, He comes to our salvation. The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain. Come, Lord, and do not delay. Alleluia.
Offertory Motet
Dixit Maria – H. L. Hassler (1564-1612)
Hans Leo Hassler and Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672) are probably the most famous composers of the high German Renaissance, and both have contributed extensively to the choral repertory of this period. The extraordinary humility of Mary’s response is reflected beautifully here, giving an interior, quiet effect to the piece.
Mary said to the Angel: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me, according to thy word. (Lk. 1:38)
Mary said to the Angel: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me, according to thy word. (Lk. 1:38)
Communion Motets
Adam Lay Ybounden – Anon. 15th Cent., arr. B. Ord (1897-1961)
This very popular Advent carol sings of the Incarnation through Adam’s fall and the Virgin Mary, who is so much in the forefront of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The musical setting of this very old text is the one we’re all familiar with, and was wrought by the famous Boris Ord, who rather single-handedly restored the very high level of singing at King’s College, Cambridge, which we all enjoy today.
Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond; four thousand winter thought he not too long. And all was for an apple, an apple that he took. As clerkës finden written in their book. Ne had the apple taken been, the apple taken been, ne had never Our Lady, a-been heaven’s queen. Blessed be the time that apple taken was! Therefore we may singen Deo gratias!
Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond; four thousand winter thought he not too long. And all was for an apple, an apple that he took. As clerkës finden written in their book. Ne had the apple taken been, the apple taken been, ne had never Our Lady, a-been heaven’s queen. Blessed be the time that apple taken was! Therefore we may singen Deo gratias!
The Angel Gabriel – R. R. Terry (1865-1938)
You are probably familiar with the Basque carol of this same name (ask any student at Holy Family Academy), however today we hear a different poem and tune on the same subject. The music was composed by one of my heroes, Richard Runciman Terry, the Master of Music at the then newly-built Westminster Cathedral in London. A champion of Roman Catholic Church music, perhaps the greatest one of all, he founded the program which, until very recently, provided a sung polyphonic Ordinary of the Mass every day, and polyphonic choral Vespers every evening. His conducting, editing, publishing, teaching and playing were so constant and feverish, that it is a miracle he lived to the age of 74.
The Angel Gabriel from God was sent to Galilee, unto a Virgin fair and free, whose name was called Mary. And when the Angel thither came, he fell down on his knee, and looking up in the virgin’s face, said, “Hail, all hail, Mary.” Mary anon looked him upon, and said, Sir, what are ye? I marvel much at tidings such as thou has brought to me. Promised I am to Joseph, so fell the lot to me: Therefore, I pray depart away, I stand in doubt of thee.” “Mary”, he said, “be not afraid, and now believe in me, the power of God, the Holy Ghost shall overshadow thee. Thou shalt conceive but not to grieve, as the Lord told to me; God’s own dear Son from heaven shall come, and shall be born of thee.” This came to pass as God’s will was, even as the angel told. About midnight an angel bright came to the shepherd’s fold, and told them then both where and when born was the child our Lord, and all along this was their song: “All Glory be to God.” Good people all, both great and small, the which do hear my voice, with one accord let’s praise the Lord, and in our hearts rejoice; in love abound to all around while we our lifetime spend, whilst we have space let’s pray for grace: so let my carol end.
Organ Postlude
I'm afraid there is none in Advent, but the Postlude will return on Thursday!
