2017-2018 Sundays in Song

 

This page offers a complete reference for the musical offerings in liturgy held throughout the year, from our Homecoming service on September 10, 2017 through Trinity Sunday on May 27, 2018. Please also feel free to peruse past seasons and visit our YouTube channel and SoundCloud page to hear performances of the Choir of St. David's and guest musicians.

 

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The Season After Pentecost


 

September 10: Homecoming/St. David’s Day, Transferred

 

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, by William Mathias (1934-1992)

 

Ego sum panis vivus, by G.P. da Palestrina (1525-1594)

 

 

Sunday, September 10, 2017
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Opening Voluntary: “Solemn Processional,” by Robert A. Harris (b. 1938)
Processional Hymn: All creatures of our God and King (“Lasst uns erfreuen”)
Gloria: “Glory to God in the Highest,” by William Mathias (1934-1992)
Gradual: Psalm 119:33-40, setting by Thomas Norris (1741-1790)
Offertory Anthem: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” by William Mathias
Offertory Hymn: When in our music God is glorified, (“Engelberg”)
Sanctus: “Holy, holy, holy,” by William Mathias
Communion Motet: “Ego sum panis vivus,” by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594)
Communion Hymn: Lord of all hopefulness (“Slane”)
Postcommunion Hymn: God of grace and God of glory (“Cwm Rhondda”)
Closing Voluntary: “Toccata: St. David’s Day,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
At St. David’s, the beginning of the program year is marked by a celebration of the Feast of St. David of Wales (transferred). Musically, this is highlighted by including various works relating to Wales. Today, the boisterous and jubilant music of William Mathias is particularly featured. Many of Mathias’ works demonstrate a muscular, rhythmically active style making frequent use of quartal and quintal sonorities, those built on fourths and fifths, with an occasional chromatic twist. This is certainly the case with “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” sung as the offertory anthem.

At communion, the choir sings the motet “Ego sum panis vivus” by G.P. da Palestrina. The flowing voice leading and arching lines are emblematic of the composers’ style. At the center of the motet, however, darkness creeps in. The text refers first to Jesus’ statement “I am the bread of life,” before preceding to “Your fathers ate manna in the desert; they have perished.” At this moment, the range descends, and the mode shifts to a minor inflection, before brightness reemerges with lightening octave leaps: “This is the bread come down from heaven.” The sound is sweet, including hints at minor seventh chords in each voice, an unusual arpeggiation in the Renaissance.

Focusing on this music of Roman Catholic origin at the start of the program year is intentional. As we move towards the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, we first hear what the music of the Roman church would have sounded like.
This week’s opening voluntary is by American composer Dr. Robert A. Harris, Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music where he served as Director of Choral Organizations and Assistant Professor of Conducting from 1977 to 2012. A prolific composer, the “Solemn Processional” was his first work for organ. Lush and sumptuous, the gentle harmonic swells seem provide not only a meditative opportunity, but also hint at the pastoral, linking it in tone to some of the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, whose “Toccata: St. David’s Day” offers a festive close to the opening service of the 2017-2018 Program Year.

 

September 17 (Proper 19)

 

With a voice of singing, by Martin Shaw (1875-1958)

 

My song shall be always of the loving-kindness of the Lord, by Godfrey Sampson (1902-1949)

 

 

September 17 – Evensong for the Feast of Hildegard von Bingen (Transferred)

 

Preces & Responses: Thomas Morley (1557-1602)

 

Gradual: Adapted from Hildegard von Bingen’s Caritas abundant in omnia

 

Canticles: St. Catherine’s Service, by Sally Beamish (b. 1956) (North American Premiere)

 

Anthem: Brigid’s Flame, by Amy Williams (b. 1969) (World Premiere)

 

 

September 17, 2017

The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 19 A

 

Opening Voluntary: “Tiento (Offertoire)” from “Suite Médiévale,” by Jean Langlais (1907-1991)

Processional Hymn: Father, we praise thee (Christe sanctorum)

Gloria: Setting by William Mathias (1934-1992)

Gradual: Psalm 103:8-13, setting by Kellow J. Pye (1812-1901)

Offertory Anthem: “With a voice of singing,” by Martin Shaw (1875-1958)

Offertory Verse: All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th), first and last stanzas

Sanctus: Setting by William Mathias

Communion Motet: “My song shall be always,” by Godfrey Sampson (1902-1949)

Communion Hymn: Forgive our sins as we forgive (Detroit)

Postcommunion Hymn: God is love, let heaven adore him (Abbot’s Leigh)

Closing Voluntary: “Prelude,” by Jean Langlais

 

The Service of Evensong, for the Feast of Hildegard von Bingen (transferred)

 

Prelude Recital: “Wings,” by Joan Tower (b. 1938) and “Living in the Body,” by Lori Laitman (b. 1955), performed by Tyrone Page, Jr., Saxophone, and Tayler Hillary Boykins, Mezzo-Soprano

 

Processional Hymn: I’ll praise my Maker while I’ve breath (Old 113th)

Preces and Responses: Thomas Morley (c. 1558-1602)

Phos Hilaron: O gracious light, setting by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)

Gradual: Psalm 96, setting adapted from Bingen’s “Caritas abundant in Omnia”

Canticles: St. Catherine’s Service, by Sally Beamish (b. 1956), American Premiere

Anthem: “Brigid’s Flame,” by Amy Williams (b. 1969), World Premiere

Closing Hymn: When in our music God is glorified (Engelberg)

Closing Voluntary: Improvisation on Hildegard von Bingen’s “Caritas abundant in omnia,” Douglas Buchanan, organ

 

As the scriptures for this Sunday feature mercy and forgiveness, so to do our musical offerings. Reflected in our hymnody, we first hear “Father, we praise thee, now the night is over”—not only a morning hymn, but a hymn from the release of mourning. God’s loving-kindness is emphasized, too, in both the Psalm (set by Kellow J. Pye, the first student at the Royal Academy of Music, London) and in our closing hymn, “God is Love.” This message is also reflected in the communion motet, “My song shall be always of the loving-kindness of the Lord.” In Sampson’s setting a mellifluous Edwardian style, filled with parallel first-inversion triads that float downwards from a gentle flute melody. This is picked up first by the sopranos, and then repeated by the full choir, a cappella—occasional tinges of color add brightness to the work.

 

These tinges pale in comparison to the prismatic harmonies of Langlais’ “Suite Médiévale,” however. The opening voluntary, amidst a shifting harmonic backdrop, quotes the Kyrie (specifically, the Kyrie “Fons Bonitas”)—again, an emphasis on mercy which resonates with our communion hymn “Forgive our sins, as we forgive.” Langlais’ exuberant Prelude to the Suite closes the morning liturgy.

 

The service of Evensong for the Feast of Hildegard von Bingen opens the 2017-2018 music series at St. David’s featuring works of women composers in honor of the first recorded composer in Europe, Hildegard, a truly visionary artist, poet, and musician. The service begins with a prelude recital offered by Tyrone Page, Jr., saxophone, and Taylor Hillary Boykins, mezzo-soprano. The recital begins with the solo saxophone work “Wings,” by Pulitzer prize-winning composer Joan Tower. The duo continues with Maryland composer Lori Laitman’s song cycle “Living in the Body.”

 

Following the recital, the service of Evensong continues, featuring the American premiere of Sally Beamish’s “St. Catherine’s Service.” The Magnificat alternates between exuberant, eight-part exhortations and placid, monophonic lines, creating an expansive palette from which emerges a joyous Gloria Patri. The Nunc Dimittis features a minor, modal-tinged line for basses with a pseudo-pizzicato organ line. The voices build to an exuberant, but somewhat dark, climax. This setting pairs well with Amy Williams’ “Brigid’s Flame,” a work evoking the ancient traditions of Celtic Christianity. (Williams, Professor of Composition at the University Pittsburgh, is currently on a Fulbright grant to Ireland.) An extended organ prelude, fitfully dancing across the keyboard like foxfire, prepares the choir’s entrance. The choir sings a combination of two texts: a lorica, or “breastplate” (like the hymn St. Patrick’s Breastplate) to St. Brigid, imploring protection. Intoned by two soprano soloists, this prayer has as its counterpoint a 7th-century hymn by St. Ultan of Ardbraccan, “Christus in nostra insula”:

 

“Christ was made known to men on our island of Hibernia by the very great miracles which he performed through the happy virgin of celestial life, famous for her merits through the whole world.”

 

The theme of celestial music continues with a closing improvisation by Director of Music Ministries Douglas Buchanan, based on Hildegard von Bingen’s ecstatic chant “Caritas abundant in omnia,” also an example of Hildegard’s poetry:

 

Love abounds in all,

from the valleys

to the most excellent one above the stars,

 

Exquisitely loving all,

to the ultimate King

she gives the kiss of peace.

 

 

September 24 – Proper 20 - St. David’s Singers

 

For the Dedication of the St. Nicholas Chapel: Santa Nicolas, by Godric the Mystic (1065-1175)

 

Praise, by George Dyson (1883-1964)

 

Love Divine, W.A. Mozart (1756-1791), arr. by Arthur Hutchings (1906-1989)

 

 

October 1 – Feast of St. Francis of Assissi

 

I love all beauteous things, by Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

 

Gaelic Blessing, by John Rutter (b. 1945)

 

 

October 8 – Proper 22

 

Christ is the world’s true light, by W.K. Stanton (1891-1978)

 

Draw us in the Spirit’s tether, by Harold W. Friedell (1905-1958)

 

George Sack, Guest Organist

 

Joshua Wilson, Guest Director

 

 

October 15 – Proper 23

 

My Shepherd will supply my need, by Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656)

 

Audivi vocem, by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)

 

 

October 15 – The Service of Evensong

 

Preces & Responses: Humphrey Clucas (b. 1941)
Canticles: Collegium Sancti Johannes Cantabrigiense. By Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

 

Anthem: I love all beauteous things, by Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

 

 

October 22

 

The St. David’s Chorister Choir

 

 

 

October 29 – Reformation 500: A Celebration

 

Cantata 80, Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

 

Komm heiliger Geyst, from the Wittinbergish Gesanbüchli by Johann Walter (1496-1570)

 

Closing Voluntary: Symphony no. 5 (“Reformation”), IV, by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), arr. for organ by William T. Best (1826-1897)

 

 

November 5 – All Saints

 

And I saw a new heaven, by Edgar Bainton (1880-1956)

 

All Glorious God, by Ned Rorem (b. 1923)

 

 

November 12 – Proper 27

 

Keep your lamps trimmed and lighted, Spiritual, arr. by Andre Thomas (b. 1952)

 

My eyes for beauty pine, by Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

 

 

November 12 – Evensong, in Commemoration of Veterans’ Day

 

Preces & Responses: William Smith (1604-1645)

 

Canticles: Magnificat, by Charles Theodore Pachelbel (1653-1706), and Nunc Dimittis, by Brian Bartoldus (b. 1985)

 

 

November 19 – Proper 28

 

Psalm 98 – Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)

 

O Sacred Feast, by Healey Willan (1880-1968)

 

Leo Wanenchak, Guest Organist

 

Lucy McVeigh, Guest Director

 

 

November 26 – Christ the King

 

With Voices Rise: A Baltimore Choir of Hope

 

 

 

The Season of Advent

 

 

 

December 3 – The First Sunday of Advent

 

Rorate coeli, by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

 

Audivi vocem, by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)

 

 

December 10 – The Second Sunday of Advent

 

The St. David’s Singers

 

 

 

December 17 – The Third Sunday of Advent – A Festival of Lessons and Carols

 

Introit: Matins Responsory, by G.P. da Palestrina (1525-1594)

 

Invitatory Carol: Illuminare, Jerusalem by Judith Weir (b. 1954)

 

Carols During the Service:

 

The Lord at first did Adam make, by Douglas Buchanan (b. 1984)

 

O Praise the Lord, All Ye Nations, by Amy Beech (1867-1944)

 

O magnum mysterium, by Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)

 

Rorate coeli, by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

 

Nu komm, der Heyden Heyland, by Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654)

 

The Holly and the Ivy, arr. by Reginald Jacques (1894-1969)

 

And a newly-commissioned work by Faye Chiao (b. 1983)

.

 

December 24 – The Eve of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

 

Carols as we Gather:

 

Nu komm, der Heyden Heyland, by Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654)

 

Hymn to the Virgin, by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

 

Swéte Jesu, by Nicholas Maw (1935-2009)

 

The Cherry Tree Carol, arr. Stephen Cleobury (b. 1948)

 

Noel nouvelet, arr. John Rutter (b. 1945)

 

No sad thought his soul affright, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

 

In dulci jubilo, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

 

Offertory Anthem: O beatum et sacrosanctum diem, by Peter Phillips (1560-1628)

 

Communion Motet: O magnum mysterium, by Morten Lauridsen (b. 1943)

 

 

~ Two-Week Choral Hiatus ~

 

 

 

The Season of Epiphany

 

 

 

January 14 – The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

 

My Soul’s Been Anchored, arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)

 

Amen, by Jester Hairston (1902-2000)

 

 

January 14 – Evensong, for the Feast of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Preces & Responses: Tariq Al-Sabir (b. 1989)

 

Canticles: Thomas Morley (1557-1602)

 

Anthem: My Soul’s Been Anchored, arr. Moses Hogan (1957-2003)

 

 

January 21 – The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

 

Be still, my soul, by Percy W. Whitlock (1903-1946)

 

Benedic, anima mea, by Claudin de Sermisy (1495-1562)

 

 

January 28 – The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, and the Annual Congregational Meeting

 

“Let all the world in every corner sing,” from Five Mystical Songs, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

 

Jesu, the very thought of thee, by Edward C. Bairstow (1874-1946)

 

 

February 4 – The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

 

Ye shall have a song, by Randall Thompson (1899-1984)

 

Behold, the tabernacle of God, by W.H. Harris (1883-1973)

 

 

February 11 – The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

 

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, by Edward C. Bairstow (1874-1946)

 

Creation, by William Billings (1746-1800)

 

 

February 11 – The Service of Evensong

 

Preces & Responses: Thomas Morley (1557-1602)

 

Canticles: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)

 

Anthem: Guard My Tongue, by Julia Wolfe (East Coast Premiere) (b. 1958)

 

 

The Season of Lent


 

February 14 – Ash Wednesday

 

Blessed is the one unto whom the Lord imputeth no sin, by S.S. Wesley (1810-1876)

 

Ave, verum corpus, by William Byrd (1538-1623)

 

 

February 18 – The First Sunday in Lent

 

Look down, O Lord, by William Byrd (1538-1623)

 

Ave, verum corpus, by William Byrd (1538-1623)

 

 

February 25 – The Second Sunday in Lent

 

“Timor et tremor,” from Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence, by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

 

Ave, verum corpus, by Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

 

 

March 4 – The Third Sunday in Lent

 

“Vinea mea electa,” from Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence, by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

 

Ave, verum corpus, by Faye Chiao (commissioned by St. David’s Episcopal Church)

 

 

March 11 – The Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

The St. David’s Singers

 

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, by Robert Twynham (b. 1932)

 

Ave, verum corpus, by W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)

 

 

March 18 – The Fifth Sunday in Lent

 

“Tenebrae factae sunt,” from Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence, by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

 

Ave, verum corpus, by Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921)

 

 

March 18 – The 42nd Annual Baltimore Bach Marathon

 

Including Vergnugte rüh, BWV 170, and featuring the Choir of St. David's performing the Johannes-Passion, BWV 245, with orchestra.

 

 

 

Holy Week

 

 

 

March 25 – Palm/Passion Sunday

 

“Ruht wohl, ihr heiligen Gebeine,” from Johannes-Passion, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

 

Tristis est anima mea, from Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence, by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

 

 

March 28 – The Service of Tenebrae

 

Chanted psalms

 

 

 

March 29 – Maundy Thursday

 

Ubi caritas, by Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)

 

In manus tuas, by John Sheppard (1515-1558)

 

Here’s one, arr. William Grant Still (1895-1978)

 

 

March 30 – Good Friday Noonday Service

 

The Passion According to John, adapted from Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)

 

The Reproaches, by Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)

 

God so loved the world, by John Stainer (1840-1901)

 

 

March 30 – Music for Good Friday

 

God so loved the world, by John Stainer (1840-1901)

 

“Crucifixion,” from Passion-Symphony, by Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)

 

Guard my tongue, by Julia Wolfe (b. 1958)

 

Quatre motets pour un temps de penitence, by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)

 

The Dream of the Rood, by Douglas Buchanan (b. 1984) (World Premiere)

 

Lo, the full, final sacrifice, by Gerald Finzi (1901-1956)

 

 

March 31 - The Great Vigil of Easter

 

Valiant-for-Truth, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

 

Alleluia, by Randall Thompson (1899-1984)

 

 

The Season of Easter

 

April 1 – Easter Day

 

Ride on, King Jesus, arr. Douglas Buchanan (b. 1984)

 

Alleluia, by Randall Thompson (1899-1984)

 

 

April 8 – The Secondary Sunday of Easter

 

Valiant-for-Truth, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

 

Rise up, my love, my fair one, by Healey Willan (1880-1968)

 

 

April 15 – The Third Sunday of Easter

 

Herz und mund und Tat und Leben, I, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

 

O Sacred Feast, by Healey Willan (1880-1968)

 

 

April 22 – The Fourth Sunday of Easter

 

The St. David’s Singers

 

You have searched me out and known me, by David Hurd (b. 1950)

 

 

April 29 – The Fifth Sunday of Easter

 

I sat down under his shadow with great delight, by Edward C. Bairstow (1874-1946)

 

Jesu, bleibet meine Freude, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

 

 

May 6 – The Sixth Sunday of Easter

 

Psalm 98, by Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594)

 

St. Enoch (Psalm 98), by William Billings (1746-1800)

 

 

May 13 – The Seventh Sunday of Easter

 

Ascendens Christus in altum, by G.P. da Palestrina (1525-1594)

 

O rex gloriae, by Luca Marnezio (1554-1599)

 

 

May 13 – The Service of Evensong

 

Preces & Responses: by Ben Hawker (World Premiere)

 

Canticles: by Ben Hawker (World Premiere)

 

Anthem: One foot in Eden, still I stand


 

Pentecost & Trinity Sundays


 

May 20 – Whitsunday/The Day of Pentecost

 

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, by William Byrd (1538-1623)

 

Communion, by Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967)

 

 

May 27 – Trinity Sunday

 

Der du bist Drey, by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

 

Hymn to St. Cecilia, by Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

 

 

 

 


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