Image above: view of Skelligs. Image courtesy of Patsy Lynch [#patsylynch]. Find out more at our Skellig Michael page.
Music for Holy Week
Holy Saturday
(Scroll down for previous days)
Holy Saturday
(Scroll down for previous days)
GOOD FRIDAY
Our hymn today has been chosen to reflect the fact that this is the most silent day of the Church year. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence was composed by John Rutter and is sung here by the Cambridge Singers.
Click on the image to listen.
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture--
In the Body and the Blood--
He will give to all the faithful
His own Self for heavenly Food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged Seraph;
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, Alleluia,Alleluia,
Lord most high.
OR
MONDAY
The Woman with the Alabaster Box is Arvo Pärt's beautiful musical interpretation of the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany, as described in the Gospel reading for today. It is sung here by The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers.
The Woman with the Alabaster Box is Arvo Pärt's beautiful musical interpretation of the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany, as described in the Gospel reading for today. It is sung here by The Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers.
PALM SUNDAY
One of New Pilgrim Path’s favourite musical discoveries (thanks to our wonderful sacred music consultant, who wishes to remain anonymous), has been the little known Procession of Palms which – by popular request - we now feature every year at the beginning of Holy Week. Composed by Malcolm Williamson, lyrics and music alike are intensely moving, ranging through joy and exultation to the deepest reverence.
The piece is 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.
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.
One of New Pilgrim Path’s favourite musical discoveries (thanks to our wonderful sacred music consultant, who wishes to remain anonymous), has been the little known Procession of Palms which – by popular request - we now feature every year at the beginning of Holy Week. Composed by Malcolm Williamson, lyrics and music alike are intensely moving, ranging through joy and exultation to the deepest reverence.
The piece is 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.
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.
