What's not as well known is that Bach is author of neither the basic melody nor the words. The composer merely incorporated into his composition (with some significant adaptation) what was already a familiar hymn called O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden ("O Head Full of Blood and Wounds"). The music, which dates from about the year 1600, was composed by Hans Leo Hassler.
The Mournful Mother: Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater”
Over the course of twenty verses the hymn draws us into the suffering of Mary, and through her suffering into the suffering of Christ himself.
Music for Lent: When Jesus Wept
Jesus weeps, he cries real tears and feels real sorrow. He experiences the fullness of human sorrow, just as he will soon experience real and excruciating pain and anguish on The Cross.
Attende Domine: More Music for Lent
It is the cry of repentant sinners imploring God's forgiveness: Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi: literally, "Take heed, Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you."
Abundant Mercy – Lotti’s Miserere (Music for Lent)
King David had used trickery and deceit to send Uriah the Hittite to his death. He had, in fact, murdered his loyal soldier in order to hide his own adultery. Tradition tells us that David composed Psalm 51 as an expression of sorrow and repentance for the wicked deed. We often refer to the psalm as the Miserere ("Have mercy") because that's its first word in the Latin Vulgate Bible.
Drama of Repentance: Pergolesi’s Miserere
Here the urgent, dramatic orchestration pulls us down into King David's turbulent emotions as he comes to acknowledge his sinfulness and his need for God's mercy.
Have Mercy! Allegri’s Miserere on the 1st Monday in Lent
Today's Music Monday For the 1st week of Lent features Allegri's Miserere, a beautiful and moving composition that also has an interesting history.
The Last Chance Before Lent: Haydn’s Te Deum
Yes, this is the last chance: Lent is approaching fast. Ash Wednesday is just two days away. This is our last chance to get in a joyful sacred composition by our old friend Joseph Haydn before the penitential season begins.
Music for the Presentation of Our Lord: Holst’s “Nunc Dimittis”
Nunc Dimittis Nunc Dimittis is one of my favorite compositions by the early 20th century composer Gustav Holst. Since tomorrow is the Feast of the Presentation, this seems a fine time to share a video I put together a few years ago. It combines a mesmerizing performance of Holst's piece with Caravaggio's painting of the … Continue reading Music for the Presentation of Our Lord: Holst’s “Nunc Dimittis”
Mozart Makes The Gloria Soar
You've heard it hundreds of times, maybe thousands. But how much do you know about it? Or have you ever wondered where it comes from, or how it got into the Mass?