Daily Music for Holy Week
Note: we put up each piece of music a day in advance.
Scroll down for previous days.
Note: we put up each piece of music a day in advance.
Scroll down for previous days.
HOLY SATURDAY
Lauds from the Liturgy of the Hours for Holy Saturday morning, 16th April 2022.
Sung by Paul Rose.
Sung by Paul Rose.
GOOD FRIDAY
WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?
Extraordinarily moving rendition of this well known spiritual by the Gospel ensemble, Three Mo' Tenors. Victor Trent Cook is the soloist, supported by Rodrick Dixon, and Thomas Young.
Click on the image to listen.
Extraordinarily moving rendition of this well known spiritual by the Gospel ensemble, Three Mo' Tenors. Victor Trent Cook is the soloist, supported by Rodrick Dixon, and Thomas Young.
Click on the image to listen.
HOLY THURSDAY / MAUNDY THURSDAY
Image: Peter's Denial by Robert Leinweber (1845-1921)
HOLY THURSDAY
Erbarme Dich, Mein Gott by JS Bach
One of the most sublime and powerful movements of J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is this alto aria, Erbarme dich, mein Gott (“Have mercy Lord, My God, for the sake of my tears”). The aria (one of Pope Francis' favourite pieces of music) reflects Peter’s solitary heartache in the garden after he denies knowing Jesus three times. Aching beauty and profound sadness coexist in the music, along with a mix of other emotions which transcend description and literal meaning. The famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin called the aria’s lamenting solo violin obligato “the most beautiful piece of music ever written for the violin". The aria is sung here by the masterful American counter-tenor David Daniels
Erbarme dich, mein Gott,
Um meiner Zähren willen!
Schaue hier, Herz und Auge
Weint vor dir bitterlich.
Erbarme dich, mein Gott.
Have mercy, my God,
for the sake of my tears!
See here, before you
heart and eyes weep bitterly.
Have mercy, my God.
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK: 'SPY WEDNESDAY'
Phillip Tolley, in the website of British Choirs on the Net, writes: 'Olivet to Calvary is a fine example of music written for the late Victorian/early Edwardian Anglican church... it contains a sincerity and dedication which, despite being a definite product of its time, has carried the piece through to the modern era. Its popularity is in part due to its simplicity, needing only organ, choir, bass and tenor soloists, it is a work which can be performed by the smallest choirs.
Described as a sacred cantata, Olivet to Calvary recalls the scenes which mark the last few days of Christ's life on earth. Part 1 starts with Christ's jubilant journey to Jerusalem and ends with the scene on the Mount of Olives. Part 2 begins with the Feast of Passover with Christ's commandment to his disciples to 'Love one Another' and ends with the Crucifixion at Calvary. It is interspersed with congregational hymns which reflect on the scenes.
An hour long, this is a marvellous way to prepare for the Easter Triduum. The words appear on the screen, making it very easy to follow.
Described as a sacred cantata, Olivet to Calvary recalls the scenes which mark the last few days of Christ's life on earth. Part 1 starts with Christ's jubilant journey to Jerusalem and ends with the scene on the Mount of Olives. Part 2 begins with the Feast of Passover with Christ's commandment to his disciples to 'Love one Another' and ends with the Crucifixion at Calvary. It is interspersed with congregational hymns which reflect on the scenes.
An hour long, this is a marvellous way to prepare for the Easter Triduum. The words appear on the screen, making it very easy to follow.
TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
'Timor et Tremor': The first of Poulenc's Four Lenten Motets is sung here by The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers.
TEXT
Timor et tremor venerunt super me, et caligo cecidit super me: miserere mei Domine, quoniam in te confidit anima mea.
Exaudi Deus deprecationem meam quia refugium meum es tu adjutor fortis. Domine, invocavi te, non confundar.
Fear and trembling have taken hold of me; the darkness has come upon me. Have mercy on me, O Lord; have mercy, for my soul has trusted in you. Hear, O Lord, my prayer for you are my refuge and strength. Lord I have called upon you: let me never be put to shame.
TEXT
Timor et tremor venerunt super me, et caligo cecidit super me: miserere mei Domine, quoniam in te confidit anima mea.
Exaudi Deus deprecationem meam quia refugium meum es tu adjutor fortis. Domine, invocavi te, non confundar.
Fear and trembling have taken hold of me; the darkness has come upon me. Have mercy on me, O Lord; have mercy, for my soul has trusted in you. Hear, O Lord, my prayer for you are my refuge and strength. Lord I have called upon you: let me never be put to shame.
MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Today's Gospel reading describes the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany.
The Woman with the Alabaster Box is a beautiful interpretation of the narrative by contemporary Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt. The lyrics are included. It is sung here by The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers.
The Woman with the Alabaster Box is a beautiful interpretation of the narrative by contemporary Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt. The lyrics are included. It is sung here by The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers.
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION
Image: Christ's Entry to Jerusalem by Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin (painted 1842-48). Courtesy of Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris.
Malcolm Williamson was born in Sydney in 1931; He studied composition and horn at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 1950 he moved to London where he worked as an organist, a proofreader, and a nightclub pianist. A convert to Catholicism in 1952, he became Master of the Queen's Musick in 1975.
The seldom heard Procession of Palms is a wonderful little piece in three sections: 1. 'Ride on in majesty' (you can almost see the donkey clip-clopping along!); 2. 'All Glory, Laud and Honour'; and 3. 'Benedictus qui venit'. It is performed here by The Mastersingers, conducted by Alan Simmons, with the composer playing the organ. It was recorded in St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.
Bring the volume up loud to get the full impact!
Malcolm Williamson was born in Sydney in 1931; He studied composition and horn at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In 1950 he moved to London where he worked as an organist, a proofreader, and a nightclub pianist. A convert to Catholicism in 1952, he became Master of the Queen's Musick in 1975.
The seldom heard Procession of Palms is a wonderful little piece in three sections: 1. 'Ride on in majesty' (you can almost see the donkey clip-clopping along!); 2. 'All Glory, Laud and Honour'; and 3. 'Benedictus qui venit'. It is performed here by The Mastersingers, conducted by Alan Simmons, with the composer playing the organ. It was recorded in St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.
Bring the volume up loud to get the full impact!