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 Presentation as the backdrop.
Nunc Dimittis, by the way, is the Latin name for the prayer the old man Simeon says when he picks up the Christ Child in the temple. It is also known as “The Canticle of Simeon.” In English it begins “Now, Lord, You let your servant go in peace . . .” The Latin name comes from the first few words of the Latin text:
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace . . .
It has been a part of Compline, the liturgical Night Prayer of the Church, for many centuries.
Gustav Holst
You may or may not be familiar with composer Gustav Holst, but you are almost certainly familiar with at least one of his musical compositions. At least, that is, if you’re in the habit of darkening a church door from time to time. The popular hymn “O God Beyond All Praising” is set to music that was originally part of Holst’s secular composition The Planets.
His Nunc Dimittis, on the other hand, was always intended to be sacred music. He wrote this choral piece, heavily influenced by sixteenth century masters of polyphony William Byrd and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, specifically as an accompaniment to the Canticle of Simeon.
Holst’s piece was first performed on Easter Sunday, 1915. The second public performance was sixty years later, on June 11th, 1976, more than 40 years after the composer’s death. Whatever strange fortune led to its burial and resurrection, we should say a prayer of thanks that this beautiful and moving musical prayer is with us today.
Featured image top of page: The Presentation in the Temple by Caravaggio
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
Which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal you to the nations
And the glory of your people Israel.
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