qbawl wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:42 am
Beautiful and powerful says this old atheist.
Thanks. It sums up to me about how to live as a Christian.
for the children down at the border
for the victims of our law & order
That's powerful (along with the rest of the text).
Here's the composer doing it live. I hope they know how many people are touched by this song. It's so powerful, even in Spencer's gentle voice. I'm so glad to be able to share it with y'all.
Sacred Music (Church along with Synagogue and Other Religious/Liturgical arts)
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:59 pm
by chancery
northland10 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 7:57 pm
Tallis - If Ye Love Me
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and some Vaughan Williams
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And the Wilcocks descant for O Come All Ye Faithful
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They are all probably stuck in his head but good.
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and half a dozen John Rutter pieces
Rutter was only a few years out of Clare College when I was at choir school.
Wikipedia says that he had started composing in college, and he might already have been on the radar of our very-well-connected OCM, but I'm pretty sure we didn't sing any Rutter.
If Ye Love Me, Remember Lord Not Our Offenses (Purcell), Laudate nomen domini (Tye) and Mass for Four Voices (Byrd), pieces that were part of the regular rotation when I was in the choir, are particularly stuck in my memory. Pinnacles of western civilization.
Funny thing about Vaughan Williams. He was a major figure in 20th century English church music, instrumental (I believe) in purging the repertory and reviving interest in Tudor music, editor of the influential Oxford Book of Carols, and a talented composer of first-rate choral music that is enjoyable to sing. But none of his choral music pierced my soul the way the works of those older composers did, and do.
Sacred Music (Church along with Synagogue and Other Religious/Liturgical arts)
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:06 pm
by chancery
I'll allow that "Come Down, O Love Divine" (Down Ampney) is a moving hymn.
Sacred Music (Church along with Synagogue and Other Religious/Liturgical arts)
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:20 pm
by Rolodex
But did you do the opening verse of Once in Royal David's City?
Sacred Music (Church along with Synagogue and Other Religious/Liturgical arts)
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:55 pm
by chancery
We didn't start the Nine Lessons & Carols service by singing "Once In Royal David's City" Kings College style, in procession, with first verse as a solo. The cathedral is just too big and too long; none longer, in fact.
One year I did read the first lesson, from Genesis, and was complimented afterwards by the bishop.
Sacred Music (Church along with Synagogue and Other Religious/Liturgical arts)
Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 11:23 am
by northland10
This morning, I was practicing this hymn for Sunday (based on Psalm 139 which is appointed this Sunday, on one track). I love the thing.
I have done it as a choir anthem in the past as well, but the choir is on the summer break.
Sacred Music (Church along with Synagogue and Other Religious/Liturgical arts)
Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 1:02 pm
by Rolodex
northland10 wrote: ↑Fri May 31, 2024 11:23 am
This morning, I was practicing this hymn for Sunday (based on Psalm 139 which is appointed this Sunday, on one track). I love the thing.
I have done it as a choir anthem in the past as well, but the choir is on the summer break.
That's glorious! Thanks for sharing. I was listening and my first thought was, "A descant, like with an oboe, would sound really nice," and then bam! a descant with an oboe! Then the lovely horn! My spousal unit is a fine oboist who could easily handle that. Not sure we have a throw-down horn player, but I think that part would work with a cello (which we have access to). Sending to our choir director!
