The Schola Cantorum continues to celebrate the manifestation of Christ at this Sunday’s feast with choral music by two Italian renaissance and baroque composers and a very lively English carol of medieval origin that depicts Christ as a Savior who dances!

10am and 11:30am Masses Preparation of the Gifts, “Tribus Miraculis” - Luca Marenzio (1556 – 1599)

This motet continues the themes of manifestation that we saw in last week’s Epiphany music, prayers and readings. While last Sunday’s Mass focused on the Wise Men seeking the infant Jesus, this week’s focus of the Mass texts and prayers highlight Jesus’ desire to have John baptize him, and the Father’s subsequent declaration of Christ’s sonship. The motet by Marenzio includes these two “miracles” but adds one more taken from next week’s Mass: Jesus changing water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. The text quotes the antiphon for the gospel canticle (Magnificat) for the Second Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours for the Feast of the Epiphany. The text: “Today we see three miracles adorning the day: Today, a star led the Magi to the manger; Today, wine was made from water at the wedding; Today, in the Jordan, Christ desired to be baptized by John, so that He might save us, Alleluia.” The Italian composer Marenzio was most well known as a composer of madrigals and motets, and prior to Monteverdi was the greatest of the Italian madrigal composers.

To hear a version of the Schola Cantorum in rehearsal, click below.

11:30am Mass Communion Motet, “Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day” - arr. John Rutter (b. 1945)

This popular English traditional carol of probably medieval origin has been set by many contemporary British composers and arrangers. It first appeared in print in an 1833 collection of ancient and modern Christmas carols. The setting by Rutter treats only three of many verses depicting events throughout Christ’s earthly ministry from birth to death and resurrection. Today’s version includes one of the traditional verses that references today’s feast. John Rutter is a prolific English composer of choral works, particularly for the Anglican rite, but with wide acceptance across many Christian traditions. He founded the highly regarded Cambridge Singers in 1981 and has created authoritative editions of the Faure Requiem and anthologies of sacred choral works.

To hear a version, click below.

10am Mass Communion Motet and 11:30am Mass Choral Prelude, “Domine Fili Unigenite” from “Gloria” - Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

This motet is an excerpt from “Gloria,“ the famous baroque masterpiece by Vivaldi: “Domine Fili unigenite, {Jesu Christe}, Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father”. The text reinforces the words taken from the conclusion of today’s Gospel, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque musical composer, virtuoso violinist, teacher, and priest. Born in Venice, the capital of the Venetian Republic, he is regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe.

To hear a version, click below.