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Welcome to the Music Pages for Christ Church! By presenting the best in choral and organ music from the last five centuries, as well as offering and hosting a wide range of musical events, we proudly continue the tradition of musical excellence treasured in the Episcopal Church. Explore here to find out about our weekly musical offerings, special music events, information on participating in our music programs, and more. (Scroll to the bottom for notes about this week's music.)
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Our Choirs
Our adult Choir sings each Sunday at the 10 AM Service from September through early June, and at other services and special occasions throughout the church year; we rehearse each Wednesday evening from 7:30–9:15. Choristers, currently on hiatus, is our youth treble choir, open to all children through grade 8; we meet weekly and sing on selected Sundays.
Music EventsOur Concertato recital series, held on selected Saturday evenings Fall through Spring, features exciting vocal and instrumental performers. In addition, we present, and host, a wide range of musical events throughout the year.
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Organ Music
The organ is central to our worship experience. Each week during our 10 AM Sunday Service the organ leads congregational singing, accompanies the weekly choir anthem, and is featured in a prelude and postlude drawn from the great historical repertory of organ music for the church, with an emphasis on the music of Bach and his German near-contemporaries, but including also masterpieces from the great organ traditions of England, France, and Italy spanning the last four centuries. Click below for a listing of scheduled organ works, as well as information concerning our organ, Southfield Organ Company's Opus 30.
Get Involved!
Our choirs are non-auditioned and open to all—the only requirement is a love of singing! Contact our Director of Music, Mark Sullivan, at markcec@snet.net.
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This Sunday Morning at 10:00
Check this space for information about the week's choral and organ music, and notes about upcoming music.
April 9, 2017
Palm/Passion Sunday
Offertory anthem: Pange lingua ... A. Bruckner
Postlude: Pange lingua ... J. Titelouze
April 2, 2017
Prelude: O man, bewail thy cruel fate BWV 622 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: I am the resurrection… T. Tompkins
Postlude: Fantasia in g minor BWV 542/1 … J. S. Bach
March 26, 2017
Prelude: Pie Jesu (from Organbook II) ..N. Rorem
Offertory anthem: Loving Shepherd of thy sheep… P. Ledger
Postlude: Chaconne in c minor BuxWV 159… D. Buxtehude
March 19, 2017
Prelude: Lamb of God, Pure, Spotless … J. Pachelbel
Offertory anthem: Bless the Lord, O my soul … Ippolitof-Ivanof
Postlude: Kyrie, God, Holy Spirit BWV 671 … J. S. Bach
March 12, 2017
Prelude: Blessed are thee that live in faith unswerving op. 122 #6 … J. Brahms
Offertory anthem: God so loved the world … J. Goss
Postlude: O God, thou faithful God op. 122 #7 … J. Brahms
March 5, 2017
First Sunday in Lent
Prelude: Lamb of God, pure, spotless op.67 … M. Reger
Offertory anthem: Agnus Dei (In memory of Bob Sperry) … Sullivan
Postlude: Lamb of God, pure, spotless BWV 656 … J. S. Bach
This morning’s prelude/postlude are settings of the Lenten chorale ‘Lamb of God, Pure, Spotless,’ which I will first play in it’s original ‘hymn’ form, in a harmonization by Bach. In the Reger setting, one verse of the chorale is presented, with the melody clearly heard in the upper solo part. In the Bach setting, three verses are presented: in the first, the hymn tune appears in an ornamented version in the upper voice after an opening section featuring counterpoint based on the opening rising fifth (do-sol) of the chorale tune; in the second, the chorale tune appears in the middle voice, and in the third, the pedals finally enter with the chorale tune.
This morning’s Offertory anthem was dedicated to Bob Sperry, a long (long!) time Christ Church member and choir member, whose dedication to the choir and service to the church and community serves as an example to all. You are missed, Bob!
Feb. 26, 2017
Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Visionem (from A Gregorian Liturgical Year) … G. Near
Offertory anthem: Festival Te Deum … B. Britten
Postlude: Holy God, we praise your name …F. Peeters
Te Deum Laudamus is a canticle of praise which is found as Canticles 7 and 21 in the Book of Common Prayer; it was at one time thought to have been written by Saints Ambrose and Augustine, but it is now generally attributed to Niceta, a fourth century Bishop. It is often sung on important occasions; we are singing it on this last Sunday before Lent as a response to the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration in today’s Gospel.
The Benjamin Britten setting that we are singing this morning is in three sections. The first consists of a flowing unison melody over seemingly static yet changing chords in the organ. At the words ‘The Holy Church throughout all the worlds dost acknowledge Thee’ Britten indulges in a lovely bit of text painting: the parts all of a sudden scatter, each going in a different direction, but returning together for ‘the Father of an infinite majesty.’ The middle section, which starts at the words ’Thou art the King of Glory,' starts at a faster tempo, with choral exclamations alternating with dramatic organ outbursts; the choir then settles into a syncopated ‘groove,’ with the sopranos mysteriously echoing the lower three parts. The last section marks a return to the opening music, with the soprano soloist singing the opening melody, and finally joined by the choir at the words ‘Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without fear.’
This morning’s prelude by Gerald Near is a setting of the chant that was traditionally sung during Communion on the Feast of the Transfiguration (which is itself celebrated, somewhat confusingly, in August!) The text of the chant comes from the end of Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration: "Tell the vision you have seen to no man,
till the Son of man be risen from the dead.”
Feb. 19, 2017
7th Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Benedictus … A. Rowley
Offertory anthem: Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes … T. Attwood
Postlude: Fuge in A BWV 536/2 … J. S. Bach
The text of this morning's offertory anthem is taken from this morning’s Psalm (Psalm 119 vs. 33). It is a popular text among composers, and we have sung several settings of this text already this year. The composer Thomas Attwood was a student of Mozart’s until shortly before his death; he returned home to England to establish himself as one of the leading English composers of his day.
English composers of the first half of the 20th century were fond of writing organ pieces that started and ended very quietly, but reached one or two very loud climaxes in the middle, showing off the whole range of the beautiful organs in English cathedrals and larger churches. This morning’s prelude is such a piece; however, I will not get quite as loud as the composer might have preferred! It’s composer, Alec Rowley, is not well known in this country but is respected in England, particularly for his organ and choir pieces. This lovely piece reminds me a little of the Elgar of the 2nd Symphony and Enigma variations—very noble and elegiac.
This morning’s postlude is the Fugue in E BWV 536/2 (we heard it’s accompanying prelude last week). This fugue has been called the ‘gentlest’ of Bach’s fugues. It is nearly all exposition, which is to say that the fugue subject (the opening ‘tune' on which the piece is based) is nearly always present, although sometimes it is ‘hidden in plain sight’ in the inner voices. How many times can you hear the fugue subject being played?
Feb. 12, 2017
The 6th Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: If thou but suffer God to guide thee BWV 647 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Lord, for your tender mercies’ sake … R. Farrant
Lord, for Thy tender mercies’ sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives, to decline from sin, and incline towards virtue, that we may walk with a perfect heart before Thee now and evermore.
Postlude: Prelude and fugue in A BWV 536 … J. S. Bach
This morning’s prelude is based on the hymn tune we will be singing as our Sequence hymn this morning. It is actually an arrangement bach made of a movement of his cantata of the same name, BWV 93. In the original, the upper parts are sung as a vocal duet, with the chorale tune coming in on the strings; in the organ arrangement, the upper parts and the bass line are played on the manuals, while the chorale tune is played with the feet (or just ‘foot’, as is sometimes the case!).
Our postlude this morning is the Prelude in A from Bach’s Prelude and Fugue BWV 536—I will be playing the Fugue next Sunday. This is one of Bach’s most cheerful and sunny preludes, featuring cascades of bright organ sound and some fun skipping pedal motifs. Enjoy!
Feb. 5, 2017
The 5th Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: There is a Spirit that Delights to do no Evil (from A Quaker Reader) … N. Rorem
Offertory anthem: Lead me, Lord … S. Wesley
Postlude: Now praise the Lord, my soul BuxWV 204 … D. Buxtehude
Jan 29, 2017
The 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Prelude: Blessed Jesus, at thy word BWV 731 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes … P. Moger
Postlude: Ricarcare in C … J. Pachelbel
Jan. 22, 2017
The 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Chorale Prelude on ‘Rockingham’ (from Six Chorale Preludes, Set 1) … C. H. H. Parry
Offertory anthem: Ubi caritas … O. Gjeilo
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus, et amebas Deum vivim. Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Amen.
Where charity and love are, God is there. Love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one. Amen.
Postlude: Canzona after the Epistle (from Fiori Musicali, op. 12 #41) … G. Frescobaldi
Jan. 15, 2017
The Second Sunday after Epiphany
Prelude: Blessed Immanuel, Lord of the Faithful op.59 #2 …. M. Dupré
Offertory anthem: Behold the Lamb of God …J. P. Sweelinck
Postlude: Bryn Calafaria (from Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes) … R. Vaughan Williams
Jan. 8. 2017
The 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Christ our Lord to the Jordan came BuxWV 180 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory anthem: Of the Father’s heart begotten … Piae Cantiones, arr. D. Willcocks
Postlude: Fugue in C ('Gigue fugue’) BuxWV 174 … D. Buxtehude
Jan. 1, 2017
The Holy Name of Jesus
Prelude: The Christmas Carol, Varied as a Rondo, for the Piano Forte … S. Wesley
Communion voluntary: Pastorale Gesu Bambino … P. Yon
Postlude: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella … trad., arr. K. Chapman (Fred Imbimbo, organ)
Dec. 25, 2016 10:00 AM
The Nativity of Our Lord
Prelude: How Brightly Shines the Morning Star BuxWV 223 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory voluntary: How Brightly Shines the Morning Star … J. Pachelbel
Communion voluntary: In Dulci Jubilo op. 28 … M. Dupre
Postlude: All Hail this Brightest Day of Days BWV 603 … J. S. Bach
Dec. 24, 2016 10:00 PM
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Prelude: Traditional carols for harp
In Dulci Jubilo BuxWV 197 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory Anthem: In Ducli Jubilo BuxWV 52 … D. Buxtehude
Suky Bryan, Natalia Perez, violins; Gabby Perez, ‘cello
In dulci jubilo, Nun singet und seid froh! Unsers Herzens Wonne liegt
in praesepio, Und leuchtet als die Sonne Matris in gremio, Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule Nach dir ist mir so weh! Tröst' mir mein Gemüte O puer optime
Durch alle deine Güte O princeps gloriae. Trahe me post te!
Ubi sunt gaudia Nirgend mehr denn da! Da die Engel singen Nova cantica,
Und die Schellen klingen In regis curia. Eia, wären wir da!
In quiet joy now sing with hearts aglow! Our delight and pleasure lies in a manger; like sunshine is our treasure in the mother's lap! Thou art Alpha and Omega!
O tiny Jesus for thee I long alway; comfort my heart's blindness, O best of boys, with all Thy loving kindness, O Prince of glory,draw me unto thee.
Where are joys In any place but there? There are angels singing new songs, and there the bells are ringing in the king's court. O that we were there!
Post-Communion Anthem: O Magnum Mysterium … Medieval Latin hymn, music M. Sullivan
Postlude: In Dulci Jubilo BWV 729 … J. S. Bach
Dec. 18, 2016
Advent IV
Prelude: Lo, how a rose ere blooming op. 122 #8 … J. Brahms
Offertory anthem: As Dewe in Aprille (from 'A Ceremony of Carols’) … B. Britten
I sing of a maiden that is makèles (matchless): King of all kings to her son she ches (chose).
He came al so stille there his moder (mother)was, As dew in Aprille that falleth on the grass.
He came al so stille to his moder bour (bower), As dew in Aprille that falleth on the flour (flower).
He came al so stille there his moder lay, As dew in Aprille that falleth on the spray.
Moder and mayden was never none but she; Well may such a lady Goddes moder be.
Postlude: Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God BWV 651… J. S. Bach
Dec. 11, 2016
Advent III
Prelude: Two pieces for the 3rd Sunday of Advent from ‘L’Orgue Mystique: Introit, Offertoire … C. Tournemire
Offertory Anthem: The Song of Mary (Magnificat) … Anglican Chant/H. Lawes
Postlude: Fugue on the Magnificat BWV 733 … J. S. Bach
Dec. 4, 2016
Advent II
Prelude: Savior of the Nations, Come … BWV 659 … J. S. Bach
Offertory Anthem: Make us your candle … D. Angerman
Postlude: Savior of the Nations, Come … BWV 661 … J. S. Bach
This morning’s ‘ludes (organ slang for preludes and postludes) are chorale preludes based on the Advent hymn ‘Savior of the nations, come,’ our communion hymn this morning, which is itself a translation of Luther’s German paraphrase of the ancient Latin hymn ‘Veni, redemptor gentium’ written by St. Ambrose on the 4th century. These two settings are considered among Bach’s masterpieces in the genre. In the first, the chorale tune appears highly ornamented in the soprano, over an inexorably marching bass line in the pedals; in the second, the tune appears simply and powerfully in the pedals, where phrase by phrase thunders out under what appears at first to be a dramatic fugue in the manuals.
Nov. 27, 2016
Advent I
Prelude: Sleepers, Awake BWV 645 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come … P. Manz
Postlude: Once He Came in Blessing BWV 600… J. S. Bach
Nov 20, 2016
Christ the King
Prelude: In heaven above, at God’s high throne … F. Peeters
Offertory anthem: King of Glory, King of Peace … G. Near
Postlude: Hyfrydol (from Three Preludes on Welsh Hymns) … R. Vaughan Williams
Nov. 13, 2016
Prelude: VoluntaryVIII … W. Boyce
Offertory anthem: Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) … J. Crüger
Postlude: Fugue in C BWV 547/2 … J. S. Bach
Nov. 6, 2016
All Saints' Sunday
Prelude: O Quanta Qualia … P. Cranmer
Offertory anthem: I saw a new heaven (Revelations 21, 1-4:)… E. Bainton
And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.
Communion anthem: ‘Litanei’ op. posth. …F. Schubert (sung in German), Dennis Burke, baritone
Rest in peace, all souls who have had done with anxious torment,who have had done with sweet dreams; who, sated with life and hardly born, have departed from this world: all souls rest in peace!
And those who never smiled at the sun, keeping watch on the thorns beneath the moon, to see God in the pure heavenly light and look him just once in the face: all who have parted from here, all souls rest in peace!
Voluntary: Blessed Jesus, at thy word BWV 731 … J. S. Bach
Postlude: Auferstehn, ja auferstehn ('Arise, arise') op. 79b #7 … M. Reger
'O Quanta Qualia' is a medieval hymn by Peter Abelard, which we know in an English paraphrase as Hymn 623 ‘O why their joy and their glory must be, those endless Sabbaths the blessed ones see.’ In this morning’s prelude, the hymn tune (played by the feet) floats over a gently undulating accompaniment.
‘Auferstehn, ja augerstehn’ (Arise, arise!) are the first words of the hymn ‘Die Auferstehung’ (‘The Resurrection’) which Mahler took as the text for the finale of his 2nd Symphony, commonly known as ‘The Resurrection’ symphony. In this morning’s postlude the hymn tune originally associated with the text (not used by Mahler) is presented by the pedals under a dense, chromatic accompaniment.
October 30, 2016
Prelude: A mighty fortress is our God BuxWV 184 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory anthem: The Apple Tree … K. Lee Scott
Postlude: A mighty fortress is our God … J. Pachelbel
The image of Zaccheus up in the tree from this morning's Gospel brought to mind this morning’s lovely anthem, which is always a Fall favorite! The anonymous text is from a collection of early American folk hymns published by Joshua Smith, a Baptist minister from New Hampshire who was active in the period just following the American Revolution:
The tree of life my soul has seen, laden with fruit and always green: the trees of nature fruitless be, compared with Christ, the apple tree.
His beauty does all things excel: by faith I know, but ne’er can tell The glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ, the apples tree.
For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but know I see ’Tis found in Christ, the apple tree.
This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ, the apple tree.
October 23, 2016
Prelude: From God shall naught divide me BWV 658 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Here my prayer, O God … J. Arcadelt
Postlude: Te Deum Laudamus BuxWV 218 ... D. Buxtehude
Oct. 16, 2016
Prelude: Voluntary I … W. Boyce
Offertory anthem: Teach, me, O Lord … P. Stopford
Postlude: Voluntary in g minor op. 5 #9 … J. Stanley
Oct. 9, 2016
Prelude: At This Most Holy Feast op. 77 #2… F. Peeters
Offertory anthem: Barechu … S. Rossi
Barechu et Adonay hame vorach. Baruch Adonay hame vorach leolam vaed.
Praise Adonai to whom praise is due forever. Praised be Adonai to whom praise is due, now and forever.
Postlude: Fugue in g minor ('Little') BWV 578 … J. S. Bach
Oct. 2, 2016
Prelude: Pastorale I, II BWV 590 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: O lord, increase my faith … O. Gibbons
Postlude: Canzona after Communion (from Fiori Musicali) … G. Frescobaldi
Sept. 25, 2016
Prelude: deck thyself, my soul, with gladness op. 122 #5 …. J. Brahms
Offertory anthem: Praise to the Lord … A. N. Whitehead
Postlude: In thee alone, O Christ our Lord … J. Pachelbel
September 18, 2016
Prelude: Kyrie, Our Father in Heaven BWV 669 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Non nobis, Domine … W. Byrd
Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.
(Not unto us, lord, but to Thy name be the glory.)
Postlude: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty op. 52 #24 … M. Reger
September 11, 2016
Prelude: These are the holy 10 commandments BWV 678 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: The Lord is My Shepherd … H. Goodall
Postlude: Prelude, Fugue, and Chaconne in C BuxWV 137 … D. Buxtehude
For music from earlier Sunday mornings, click here
Check this space for information about the week's choral and organ music, and notes about upcoming music.
April 9, 2017
Palm/Passion Sunday
Offertory anthem: Pange lingua ... A. Bruckner
Postlude: Pange lingua ... J. Titelouze
April 2, 2017
Prelude: O man, bewail thy cruel fate BWV 622 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: I am the resurrection… T. Tompkins
Postlude: Fantasia in g minor BWV 542/1 … J. S. Bach
March 26, 2017
Prelude: Pie Jesu (from Organbook II) ..N. Rorem
Offertory anthem: Loving Shepherd of thy sheep… P. Ledger
Postlude: Chaconne in c minor BuxWV 159… D. Buxtehude
March 19, 2017
Prelude: Lamb of God, Pure, Spotless … J. Pachelbel
Offertory anthem: Bless the Lord, O my soul … Ippolitof-Ivanof
Postlude: Kyrie, God, Holy Spirit BWV 671 … J. S. Bach
March 12, 2017
Prelude: Blessed are thee that live in faith unswerving op. 122 #6 … J. Brahms
Offertory anthem: God so loved the world … J. Goss
Postlude: O God, thou faithful God op. 122 #7 … J. Brahms
March 5, 2017
First Sunday in Lent
Prelude: Lamb of God, pure, spotless op.67 … M. Reger
Offertory anthem: Agnus Dei (In memory of Bob Sperry) … Sullivan
Postlude: Lamb of God, pure, spotless BWV 656 … J. S. Bach
This morning’s prelude/postlude are settings of the Lenten chorale ‘Lamb of God, Pure, Spotless,’ which I will first play in it’s original ‘hymn’ form, in a harmonization by Bach. In the Reger setting, one verse of the chorale is presented, with the melody clearly heard in the upper solo part. In the Bach setting, three verses are presented: in the first, the hymn tune appears in an ornamented version in the upper voice after an opening section featuring counterpoint based on the opening rising fifth (do-sol) of the chorale tune; in the second, the chorale tune appears in the middle voice, and in the third, the pedals finally enter with the chorale tune.
This morning’s Offertory anthem was dedicated to Bob Sperry, a long (long!) time Christ Church member and choir member, whose dedication to the choir and service to the church and community serves as an example to all. You are missed, Bob!
Feb. 26, 2017
Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Visionem (from A Gregorian Liturgical Year) … G. Near
Offertory anthem: Festival Te Deum … B. Britten
Postlude: Holy God, we praise your name …F. Peeters
Te Deum Laudamus is a canticle of praise which is found as Canticles 7 and 21 in the Book of Common Prayer; it was at one time thought to have been written by Saints Ambrose and Augustine, but it is now generally attributed to Niceta, a fourth century Bishop. It is often sung on important occasions; we are singing it on this last Sunday before Lent as a response to the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration in today’s Gospel.
The Benjamin Britten setting that we are singing this morning is in three sections. The first consists of a flowing unison melody over seemingly static yet changing chords in the organ. At the words ‘The Holy Church throughout all the worlds dost acknowledge Thee’ Britten indulges in a lovely bit of text painting: the parts all of a sudden scatter, each going in a different direction, but returning together for ‘the Father of an infinite majesty.’ The middle section, which starts at the words ’Thou art the King of Glory,' starts at a faster tempo, with choral exclamations alternating with dramatic organ outbursts; the choir then settles into a syncopated ‘groove,’ with the sopranos mysteriously echoing the lower three parts. The last section marks a return to the opening music, with the soprano soloist singing the opening melody, and finally joined by the choir at the words ‘Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without fear.’
This morning’s prelude by Gerald Near is a setting of the chant that was traditionally sung during Communion on the Feast of the Transfiguration (which is itself celebrated, somewhat confusingly, in August!) The text of the chant comes from the end of Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration: "Tell the vision you have seen to no man,
till the Son of man be risen from the dead.”
Feb. 19, 2017
7th Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Benedictus … A. Rowley
Offertory anthem: Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes … T. Attwood
Postlude: Fuge in A BWV 536/2 … J. S. Bach
The text of this morning's offertory anthem is taken from this morning’s Psalm (Psalm 119 vs. 33). It is a popular text among composers, and we have sung several settings of this text already this year. The composer Thomas Attwood was a student of Mozart’s until shortly before his death; he returned home to England to establish himself as one of the leading English composers of his day.
English composers of the first half of the 20th century were fond of writing organ pieces that started and ended very quietly, but reached one or two very loud climaxes in the middle, showing off the whole range of the beautiful organs in English cathedrals and larger churches. This morning’s prelude is such a piece; however, I will not get quite as loud as the composer might have preferred! It’s composer, Alec Rowley, is not well known in this country but is respected in England, particularly for his organ and choir pieces. This lovely piece reminds me a little of the Elgar of the 2nd Symphony and Enigma variations—very noble and elegiac.
This morning’s postlude is the Fugue in E BWV 536/2 (we heard it’s accompanying prelude last week). This fugue has been called the ‘gentlest’ of Bach’s fugues. It is nearly all exposition, which is to say that the fugue subject (the opening ‘tune' on which the piece is based) is nearly always present, although sometimes it is ‘hidden in plain sight’ in the inner voices. How many times can you hear the fugue subject being played?
Feb. 12, 2017
The 6th Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: If thou but suffer God to guide thee BWV 647 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Lord, for your tender mercies’ sake … R. Farrant
Lord, for Thy tender mercies’ sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives, to decline from sin, and incline towards virtue, that we may walk with a perfect heart before Thee now and evermore.
Postlude: Prelude and fugue in A BWV 536 … J. S. Bach
This morning’s prelude is based on the hymn tune we will be singing as our Sequence hymn this morning. It is actually an arrangement bach made of a movement of his cantata of the same name, BWV 93. In the original, the upper parts are sung as a vocal duet, with the chorale tune coming in on the strings; in the organ arrangement, the upper parts and the bass line are played on the manuals, while the chorale tune is played with the feet (or just ‘foot’, as is sometimes the case!).
Our postlude this morning is the Prelude in A from Bach’s Prelude and Fugue BWV 536—I will be playing the Fugue next Sunday. This is one of Bach’s most cheerful and sunny preludes, featuring cascades of bright organ sound and some fun skipping pedal motifs. Enjoy!
Feb. 5, 2017
The 5th Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: There is a Spirit that Delights to do no Evil (from A Quaker Reader) … N. Rorem
Offertory anthem: Lead me, Lord … S. Wesley
Postlude: Now praise the Lord, my soul BuxWV 204 … D. Buxtehude
Jan 29, 2017
The 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Prelude: Blessed Jesus, at thy word BWV 731 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes … P. Moger
Postlude: Ricarcare in C … J. Pachelbel
Jan. 22, 2017
The 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Chorale Prelude on ‘Rockingham’ (from Six Chorale Preludes, Set 1) … C. H. H. Parry
Offertory anthem: Ubi caritas … O. Gjeilo
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus, et amebas Deum vivim. Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Amen.
Where charity and love are, God is there. Love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one. Amen.
Postlude: Canzona after the Epistle (from Fiori Musicali, op. 12 #41) … G. Frescobaldi
Jan. 15, 2017
The Second Sunday after Epiphany
Prelude: Blessed Immanuel, Lord of the Faithful op.59 #2 …. M. Dupré
Offertory anthem: Behold the Lamb of God …J. P. Sweelinck
Postlude: Bryn Calafaria (from Three Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes) … R. Vaughan Williams
Jan. 8. 2017
The 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude: Christ our Lord to the Jordan came BuxWV 180 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory anthem: Of the Father’s heart begotten … Piae Cantiones, arr. D. Willcocks
Postlude: Fugue in C ('Gigue fugue’) BuxWV 174 … D. Buxtehude
Jan. 1, 2017
The Holy Name of Jesus
Prelude: The Christmas Carol, Varied as a Rondo, for the Piano Forte … S. Wesley
Communion voluntary: Pastorale Gesu Bambino … P. Yon
Postlude: Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella … trad., arr. K. Chapman (Fred Imbimbo, organ)
Dec. 25, 2016 10:00 AM
The Nativity of Our Lord
Prelude: How Brightly Shines the Morning Star BuxWV 223 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory voluntary: How Brightly Shines the Morning Star … J. Pachelbel
Communion voluntary: In Dulci Jubilo op. 28 … M. Dupre
Postlude: All Hail this Brightest Day of Days BWV 603 … J. S. Bach
Dec. 24, 2016 10:00 PM
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Prelude: Traditional carols for harp
In Dulci Jubilo BuxWV 197 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory Anthem: In Ducli Jubilo BuxWV 52 … D. Buxtehude
Suky Bryan, Natalia Perez, violins; Gabby Perez, ‘cello
In dulci jubilo, Nun singet und seid froh! Unsers Herzens Wonne liegt
in praesepio, Und leuchtet als die Sonne Matris in gremio, Alpha es et O!
O Jesu parvule Nach dir ist mir so weh! Tröst' mir mein Gemüte O puer optime
Durch alle deine Güte O princeps gloriae. Trahe me post te!
Ubi sunt gaudia Nirgend mehr denn da! Da die Engel singen Nova cantica,
Und die Schellen klingen In regis curia. Eia, wären wir da!
In quiet joy now sing with hearts aglow! Our delight and pleasure lies in a manger; like sunshine is our treasure in the mother's lap! Thou art Alpha and Omega!
O tiny Jesus for thee I long alway; comfort my heart's blindness, O best of boys, with all Thy loving kindness, O Prince of glory,draw me unto thee.
Where are joys In any place but there? There are angels singing new songs, and there the bells are ringing in the king's court. O that we were there!
Post-Communion Anthem: O Magnum Mysterium … Medieval Latin hymn, music M. Sullivan
Postlude: In Dulci Jubilo BWV 729 … J. S. Bach
Dec. 18, 2016
Advent IV
Prelude: Lo, how a rose ere blooming op. 122 #8 … J. Brahms
Offertory anthem: As Dewe in Aprille (from 'A Ceremony of Carols’) … B. Britten
I sing of a maiden that is makèles (matchless): King of all kings to her son she ches (chose).
He came al so stille there his moder (mother)was, As dew in Aprille that falleth on the grass.
He came al so stille to his moder bour (bower), As dew in Aprille that falleth on the flour (flower).
He came al so stille there his moder lay, As dew in Aprille that falleth on the spray.
Moder and mayden was never none but she; Well may such a lady Goddes moder be.
Postlude: Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God BWV 651… J. S. Bach
Dec. 11, 2016
Advent III
Prelude: Two pieces for the 3rd Sunday of Advent from ‘L’Orgue Mystique: Introit, Offertoire … C. Tournemire
Offertory Anthem: The Song of Mary (Magnificat) … Anglican Chant/H. Lawes
Postlude: Fugue on the Magnificat BWV 733 … J. S. Bach
Dec. 4, 2016
Advent II
Prelude: Savior of the Nations, Come … BWV 659 … J. S. Bach
Offertory Anthem: Make us your candle … D. Angerman
Postlude: Savior of the Nations, Come … BWV 661 … J. S. Bach
This morning’s ‘ludes (organ slang for preludes and postludes) are chorale preludes based on the Advent hymn ‘Savior of the nations, come,’ our communion hymn this morning, which is itself a translation of Luther’s German paraphrase of the ancient Latin hymn ‘Veni, redemptor gentium’ written by St. Ambrose on the 4th century. These two settings are considered among Bach’s masterpieces in the genre. In the first, the chorale tune appears highly ornamented in the soprano, over an inexorably marching bass line in the pedals; in the second, the tune appears simply and powerfully in the pedals, where phrase by phrase thunders out under what appears at first to be a dramatic fugue in the manuals.
Nov. 27, 2016
Advent I
Prelude: Sleepers, Awake BWV 645 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come … P. Manz
Postlude: Once He Came in Blessing BWV 600… J. S. Bach
Nov 20, 2016
Christ the King
Prelude: In heaven above, at God’s high throne … F. Peeters
Offertory anthem: King of Glory, King of Peace … G. Near
Postlude: Hyfrydol (from Three Preludes on Welsh Hymns) … R. Vaughan Williams
Nov. 13, 2016
Prelude: VoluntaryVIII … W. Boyce
Offertory anthem: Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) … J. Crüger
Postlude: Fugue in C BWV 547/2 … J. S. Bach
Nov. 6, 2016
All Saints' Sunday
Prelude: O Quanta Qualia … P. Cranmer
Offertory anthem: I saw a new heaven (Revelations 21, 1-4:)… E. Bainton
And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.
Communion anthem: ‘Litanei’ op. posth. …F. Schubert (sung in German), Dennis Burke, baritone
Rest in peace, all souls who have had done with anxious torment,who have had done with sweet dreams; who, sated with life and hardly born, have departed from this world: all souls rest in peace!
And those who never smiled at the sun, keeping watch on the thorns beneath the moon, to see God in the pure heavenly light and look him just once in the face: all who have parted from here, all souls rest in peace!
Voluntary: Blessed Jesus, at thy word BWV 731 … J. S. Bach
Postlude: Auferstehn, ja auferstehn ('Arise, arise') op. 79b #7 … M. Reger
'O Quanta Qualia' is a medieval hymn by Peter Abelard, which we know in an English paraphrase as Hymn 623 ‘O why their joy and their glory must be, those endless Sabbaths the blessed ones see.’ In this morning’s prelude, the hymn tune (played by the feet) floats over a gently undulating accompaniment.
‘Auferstehn, ja augerstehn’ (Arise, arise!) are the first words of the hymn ‘Die Auferstehung’ (‘The Resurrection’) which Mahler took as the text for the finale of his 2nd Symphony, commonly known as ‘The Resurrection’ symphony. In this morning’s postlude the hymn tune originally associated with the text (not used by Mahler) is presented by the pedals under a dense, chromatic accompaniment.
October 30, 2016
Prelude: A mighty fortress is our God BuxWV 184 … D. Buxtehude
Offertory anthem: The Apple Tree … K. Lee Scott
Postlude: A mighty fortress is our God … J. Pachelbel
The image of Zaccheus up in the tree from this morning's Gospel brought to mind this morning’s lovely anthem, which is always a Fall favorite! The anonymous text is from a collection of early American folk hymns published by Joshua Smith, a Baptist minister from New Hampshire who was active in the period just following the American Revolution:
The tree of life my soul has seen, laden with fruit and always green: the trees of nature fruitless be, compared with Christ, the apple tree.
His beauty does all things excel: by faith I know, but ne’er can tell The glory which I now can see in Jesus Christ, the apples tree.
For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but know I see ’Tis found in Christ, the apple tree.
This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ, the apple tree.
October 23, 2016
Prelude: From God shall naught divide me BWV 658 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Here my prayer, O God … J. Arcadelt
Postlude: Te Deum Laudamus BuxWV 218 ... D. Buxtehude
Oct. 16, 2016
Prelude: Voluntary I … W. Boyce
Offertory anthem: Teach, me, O Lord … P. Stopford
Postlude: Voluntary in g minor op. 5 #9 … J. Stanley
Oct. 9, 2016
Prelude: At This Most Holy Feast op. 77 #2… F. Peeters
Offertory anthem: Barechu … S. Rossi
Barechu et Adonay hame vorach. Baruch Adonay hame vorach leolam vaed.
Praise Adonai to whom praise is due forever. Praised be Adonai to whom praise is due, now and forever.
Postlude: Fugue in g minor ('Little') BWV 578 … J. S. Bach
Oct. 2, 2016
Prelude: Pastorale I, II BWV 590 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: O lord, increase my faith … O. Gibbons
Postlude: Canzona after Communion (from Fiori Musicali) … G. Frescobaldi
Sept. 25, 2016
Prelude: deck thyself, my soul, with gladness op. 122 #5 …. J. Brahms
Offertory anthem: Praise to the Lord … A. N. Whitehead
Postlude: In thee alone, O Christ our Lord … J. Pachelbel
September 18, 2016
Prelude: Kyrie, Our Father in Heaven BWV 669 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: Non nobis, Domine … W. Byrd
Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.
(Not unto us, lord, but to Thy name be the glory.)
Postlude: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty op. 52 #24 … M. Reger
September 11, 2016
Prelude: These are the holy 10 commandments BWV 678 … J. S. Bach
Offertory anthem: The Lord is My Shepherd … H. Goodall
Postlude: Prelude, Fugue, and Chaconne in C BuxWV 137 … D. Buxtehude
For music from earlier Sunday mornings, click here
