11:30am Mass, Prelude “O Taste and See” Ralph Vaughn Williams (1872 – 1958)
This motet is one of Ralph Vaughan Williams most beloved compositions, as well as one of the most famous choral pieces of the last century. It was written for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the II and received its premiere in 1953 at Westminster Abbey. It bears all the striking characteristics of Vaughan William's music; folk inspired melodies, economical use of motivic material, and harmonic choral writing inspired from the Anglican tradition. The text is from Psalm 34, today's responsorial psalm. The prayer encourages us to trust in God's grace and goodness, as did the tax collector in today’s Gospel.
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10am Mass, Preparation of the Gifts “Laetentur coeli” Hans Leo Hassler (1564 – 1612)
The 10am Mass motet at the Preparation of the Gifts, "Laetentur Caeli," quotes Psalm 96, which is also heard as the responsorial psalm at Midnight Mass of Christmas, with its text speaking of the advent of a just judge, and of creation rejoicing. It echoes the themes of today’s first reading from Sirach in its vers: “Let the mountains be joyful with praise, because our Lord will come, and will show mercy to his poor.” The German composer Hans Leo Hassler frequently uses a technique known as text painting. Notable examples in this motet include the scarcity of voices on the word for heaven, suggesting something ethereal and weightless, while when speaking of the earth, all voices are used, creating a more grounded sense. Later these elements are interposed as Christ the mediator unites heaven and earth together. Another example occurs when the motet describes the sea, with each voice entering in a stepwise succession, creating the effect of waves; likewise, when depicting fields, the 16th note flurries leave a feeling of the wind blowing through the grass.
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11:30am Mass, Preparation of the Gifts “How Lovely is the Dwelling” Johannes Brahms (1833 -1897)
The 11:30am Mass motet at the Preparation of the Gifts is the fourth movement from Johannes Brahms "Ein Deutsches Requiem." The text, psalm 84, speaks of the joy of heaven, the peace of praising God in his dwelling place, and the soul’s longing for its return. The first section and recapitulation of the piece written in a lilting feel of three, with gently descending chromatics, creates a tone that is otherworldly, at times. In the middle section, when speaking of the longing of the soul for heaven, the tone becomes more urgent, only to resolve again as we hear the descending melody from the beginning (God's grace being poured on earth), ushering us back into our contemplation of God's dwelling place. Again, echoing the themes of the second half of the first reading from Sirach.
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10am Mass Communion Motet, “Domine, non sum dignus” - Tomas Luis da Victoria (1540 - 1613)
The 10am Mass Communion motet, "Domine non sum Dignus," sets the words of the good centurion, who out of humility and faith, requested that Jesus not enter his house, but to only say the word for healing. These words are also proclaimed at every Mass before the reception of communion, reminding us to take on the attitude of the humble tax collector, who understood that we can never merit God’s grace and mercy, but must simply accept the free gift. For the second part of the piece, Tomás Luis da Victoria adds the lines: “Have mercy on me, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed.” To hear a version, click below:
11:30am Mass Communion Motet, “O How Amiable” - Ralph Vaughn Williams
The 11:30am Mass Communion motet, "O How Amiable," is the second piece this morning from the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. It was composed for the 1934 Abinger Pageant and quotes Psalms 84 and 90. It speaks of our longing for the courts of the Lord, a place of shelter, safety and rest. It also asks God to bless and prosper the work we do in His name. In the tradition of a German cantata, the piece ends with a verse of the hymn St. Anne, which may have likely been sung by all present as a closing song of the pageant.
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