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.
Have a Blessed and a Happy Easter! (Jesus Christ is Risen Today)
https://vimeo.com/531973336 Feature image: ""The Resurrection of Christ" by Piero della Francesca, c. 1460
A Hymn For Holy Week: O Sacred Head Surrounded
J.S. Bach's magnificent St. Matthew Passion is perhaps the most prominent musical composition that we associate with Lent. The most well-known part of the St. Matthew Passion itself is the "Passion Chorale", which often appears a hymn called "O Sacred Head Surrounded", or "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded." What's not as well known is that Bach is … Continue reading A Hymn For Holy Week: O Sacred Head Surrounded
Music for Lent: J.S. Bach’s “Erbarme Dich” (from St. Matthew’s Passion)
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 season, Johann Sebastian Bach's … Continue reading Music for Lent: J.S. Bach’s “Erbarme Dich” (from St. Matthew’s Passion)
Attende Domine: More Music for Lent
We hear the moving ancient hymn "Attende Domine" frequently during the season of Lent, especially at TLM masses. 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." The Latin text dates from around the tenth … Continue reading Attende Domine: More Music for Lent
Stabat Mater (Pergolesi)
One of the greatest of Marian hymns is the Stabat Mater, written (most likely) in the 13th century. It's authorship is unknown; it has been attributed to Pope Innocent III (1160-1216) or, somewhat more plausibly, the Franciscan Jacopone di Todi (c.1230-1306), although both are doubtful. The hymn itself begins with Mary at the scene of the Crucifixion: Stabat … Continue reading Stabat Mater (Pergolesi)
Pergolesi’s Miserere – Monday Music for Lent
This is a very different musical interpretation of Psalm 51 than we saw last week in Allegri's Miserere. In Allegri's composition the intensity of the soaring, unaccompanied voices lead us to contemplation of the Divine Mercy of God in Heaven. Here the urgent, dramatic orchestration pulls us down into King David's turbulent emotions as he comes … Continue reading Pergolesi’s Miserere – Monday Music for Lent
Allegri’s Miserere- Music for the First 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.
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
I absolutely love J.S. Bach's Joy-filled celebration of Jesus Christ's love for humanity, "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring". Ash Wednesday is just two days away, so this is my last opportunity to get it in as a Music Monday selection before Lent. Bach composed this piece in 1723 as a part of his cantata Herz und … Continue reading “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
Ave Verum Corpus (William Byrd Composer)
The Verum Corpus, "True Body", refers to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Byrd published the composition in 1605. The hymn is beatifully sung . . .