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)
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)
Ever Young, Ever Old: Pedro Camacho’s Te Deum
I have always appreciated the way the Te Deum does so much so succinctly. In just a few lines we are reminded of the sweep of Salvation History, the Communion of Saints, the Doctrine of the Trinity, the Mission of Jesus Christ from Bethlehem to the New Jerusalem, and all in the form of a joyful song of praise to our God.
Exult in God: Palestrina’s Exultate Deo (Sacred Music for Easter)
While music has grown in technique and complexity since then, even the greatest composers of past 500 years haven't been able to surpass the sheer musical loveliness of the works of polyphonic composers such as Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and Palestrina.
“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!"
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.
Something Strange is Happening: Holy Saturday
Something Strange Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. These are the opening sentences of the non-scriptural reading in today’s Office of Readings. Tradition calims St. Melito of Sardis as the author, but we don't know … Continue reading Something Strange is Happening: Holy Saturday
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.
“Erbarme Dich” from St. Matthew’s Passion by J.S. Bach
Erbarme Dich, mein Gott Yesterday was the fifth Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Passiontide. The liturgical prayers and observances of the Church are building ever more urgently to the climax of the Triduum. Today's musical selection, my second-to-last Lenten music post, is from what is perhaps the greatest musical composition created for the penitential … Continue reading “Erbarme Dich” from St. Matthew’s Passion by J.S. Bach
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.