Sunday is the last Sunday in Epiphany, the gospel is the Transfiguration, and it is the day the kids will be once again counting "alleluias" before we put them away for Lent. It strikes me as odd that the great Transfiguration hymn O Wondrous Type does not have a single alleluia in it, although it tells the story well! The text is from the 15th century Latin, after J. M. Neale. John Mason Neale (1818-1866) was a prolific writer of prose, poetry and hymns, translator and Anglican priest, high church, in poor health, and enamored of the Oxford movement. Some of his most famous translations (there are 45 in our hymnal) include: All Glory, Laud and Honor; O come, O come, Emmanuel; Of the Father's Heart Begotten; Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle; Ye Sons and Daughters; Good Christian Men, Rejoice; and Good King Wenceslas. Oddly enough, he died on 6 August 1866, the Feast of the Transfiguration, so he is commemorated by the Anglican churches on the following day, 7 August, sharing this feast with Catherine Winkworth, who also translated hymns into English.
The tune is WAREHAM, named for the birthplace (in Dorsetshire, England) of composer William Knapp (1698 – 1768). A glover by trade, known in his time as the "country psalm-singer," Knapp served as the parish clerk at St. James's Church in Poole (1729-1768) and was organist in both Wareham and Poole. (Hymnary.org)
The composer of the Prelude on Wareham is Healey Willan (1880-1968), the Anglican/Canadian that I play very often!
The kids Song of Praise is an Alleluia set to a ditty by Italian Classical composer Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842). Since it is basically a C major scale, we decided to teach the Chapel choir our solfege signs too, and we can feature our wonderful chorister Maggie on the oboe. According to Wikipedia, Beethoven regarded Cherubini as the greatest living composer of his era and Cherubini's operas were heavily praised and interpreted by Rossini.
The offertory is a setting of Christ Upon the Mountain Peak, another telling of the Transfiguration gospel by the great hymnodist-poet Brian Wren (b. 1936), a major British figure in the revival of contemporary hymn writing. He studied French literature at New College and theology at Mansfield College in Oxford, England and was ordained pastor in the Congregational Church. He worked for the British Council of Churches and several other organizations involved in fighting poverty and promoting peace and justice. Later he moved to the United States where he is active as a freelance lecturer, preacher, and full-time hymn writer. His hymn texts are published in all major Christian hymnals.
You can find this text in our hymnal at #129, but the music for this choral setting is by renowned Lutheran musician Paul Bouman (1918-2019). Instead of singing #129 at the presentation, we will sing a new hymn, Every Pilgrim has a Mountain, words from Songs for the Cycle ©2004 by Michael Hudson, and tune by the Rt. Rev'd Thurlow Weed (B.1966), composer and organist living in Lancaster, Ohio. He serves as organist and composer-in-residence at St Johns' Episcopal Church in Lancaster, and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Logan, Ohio. He is Bishop of the Diocese of the West of the Progressive Episcopal Church and composer of over 130 hymn tunes.
The Gargoyles will sing a Peruvian round, Yo soy la luz del mundo (I am the light of the world) at the fraction.
The 11th century chant URBS BEATA JERUSALEM, Alleluia Song of Gladness is also (like WAREHAM) a J.M. Neale translation. I call it the sad happy song, since it actually sounds very melancholy, but is a good way to get out some more alleluias before Lent. Also, the choristers get to play bells!
The last hymn and postlude are the tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN, a 17th century German tune that we use for both "All Creatures of our God and King" and "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones." Hal Hopson (b. 1933) is an incredibly prolific a full-time composer and church musician residing in Cedar Park, Texas. He has over 3000 published works, which comprise almost every musical form in church music.
Well, before we know it this year it is Lent! It seems very weird that Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day have collided! This happens every once and a while, and my husband wrote a a parody hymn to the Tune ST.FLAVIAN (Lord Who throughout these Forty Days) which is on the board in the choir room.
I hope many of you still attend services, noon is spoken with some organ voluntaries, and the 7 pm service will feature Allegri's Miserere with Gargoyles and Daughters of Zion singing their high parts from the Gallery (and a children's program with Miss Kathryn).
Miserere mei, Deus, Latin for "Have mercy on me, O God" is a setting of Psalm 51 by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652). It was composed during the reign of Pope Urban VIII, probably during the 1630s, for the exclusive use of the Sistine Chapel during the Tenebrae services of Holy Week, and its mystique was increased by unwritten performance traditions and ornamentation, as well as a legend that the young Mozart heard it once and wrote it down. Sometime during his travels, Mozart met the British historian Charles Burney, who obtained the piece from him and took it to London, where it was published in 1771. It remains a staple of Anglican choirs and is often sung on Ash Wednesday. It is written for two choirs, of five and four voices respectively, singing alternately and joining to sing the ending in 9-part polyphony.
We chant Compline in the choir stalls on Thursday evening from 8:45-9 pm will begin this Thursday Feb. 15. You can join us throughout Lent for this quiet candlelight end to you day.
Fridays during Lent, join us for a brief time of prayer, followed by an organ recital. Feb 16 – March 22, 12:15-12:45PM. You can also view on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@GraceChurchMadisonNJ
Feb 16 – Tribute to Charles Callahan: Anne Matlack
Feb 23 – Organ Duos: Brian Harlow & Christopher Jennings
March 1 – Henry Marinovic, organ scholar
March 8 – Bach and Reger: Anthony Hammond
March 15 – Women Composers: Anne Matlack
March 22 – All Bach! Helen Thomas Memorial Concert, Patricia Ruggles, alto & Anne Matlack
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