Lobet Gott
iacobusm Sacred Music

Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)

Ascension Thursday This coming Thursday is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord  . . . at least in many dioceses. And of course, wherever the traditional liturgical calendar is followed. It may not surprise you, if you are a regular reader of this blog, that I'm not a fan of moving important feasts like … Continue reading Lobet Gott in Seinen Reichen (from Bach’s Ascension Oratorio)

iacobusm Easter, Sacred Music

Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)

Regina Caeli by Gregor Aichinger The Regina Caeli ("Queen of Heaven") is a prayer that we closely associate with Easter. We usually recite this prayer instead of the Angelus during the Easter Season. At this time it also serves as the Marian Antiphon at the end of Compline (Night Prayer). Numerous composers have set it … Continue reading Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)

iacobusm Easter, Sacred Music

“Hallelujah” from Beethoven’s Christ on the Mount of Olives

We tend not to associate the word "hallelujah" with those penitential seasons. In Christ on the Mount of Olives it signifies the climactic moment when Christ says, "Not my will, but ours, be done" (Luke 22:42). This is when he commits himself to his passion and death on the cross. That, in turn, will lead directly to the triumph of Easter. Now that calls for a "Hallelujah!"

iacobusm Lent and Easter, Sacred Music

Hidden Treasure: Mascagni’s Easter Hymn (Music for Easter Monday)

 This lovely piece of music is a little like the Treasure Hidden in a Field form Jesus' parable (see Matthew 13:44) . . . It's a nice reminder that grace breaks through even in the ugliest of circumstances.