Lætare Ierusalem and Laudate Dominum (from L’Orgue Mystique, Op. 56) – Charles Tournemire (1870-1939)

The great mystic, organist, improvisateur and composer Charles Tournemire is held in very high esteem among organists, and by Roman Catholic organists in particular, for two reasons: his insight into the chant melodies which he brings into a liturgical language for the organ, an instrument of many voices and harmonies; and his devotion to and contribution to liturgical organ repertory for the Mass. Among his many organ works is an enormous cycle called L’Orgue Mystique, comprised of 52 suites, matching the number of weeks in a year, and providing a set of five pieces for each Sunday. Today we hear two of them for Lætare Sunday. They are quite moody and I hope you like them!

Laetare Hierusalem – Andrea Gabrieli (1532-1585)

The uncle of the more famous Giovanni Gabrieli (1554-1612), Andrea was among the first musicians to compose in what we recognize now as the Venetian School, made famous in part by the fantastic architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice with its balconies front and rear, left and right, inspiring many composers. Here is a great example of that style, for wind instruments. Our motet today, while not antiphonal, clearly shows the joy which we find in today’s liturgy – Rejoice, Jerusalem! – and is composed in six parts, one for each of the singers we have in our loft.

O Saviour of the World – John Goss (1800-1880)

The teacher of John Stainer, whose Crucifixion we have come to love here at Holy Family, John Goss was organist at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, the colossal architectural masterpiece of Christopher Wren (1632-1723). This piece is perhaps Goss’s most famous, and you’ll know why when you hear it, here performed by the late John Scott (1956-2015), who was also at St. Paul’s in London, and later here in the U.S., at St. Thomas’, 5th Avenue.

Herzlich tut mich verlangen (BWV 727) – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

“The organ and other lawfully approved musical instruments ... In Lent the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only in order to support the singing. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts.: GIRM2011, No. 313