DAY OF PENTECOST: WHITSUNDAY

Our 2012-2013 Choir Season ends this morning and we extend our profound gratitude to our marvelous choristers who have given us such splendid music this year.  This Choir has been a particular joy to make music with, and we are so thankful for their ministry here.  We wish Godspeed to Marcus Shields (graduate study, Cincinnati Conservatory), William Bouvel (graduate study, London), Sarah Bauer (The Young Artists Program, Shreveport Opera), and Karen Ann Baron (leave-of-absence).

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) was Organiste Titulaire at St. Etienne-du-Mont, Paris, and Professor of Harmony at the Paris Conservatory.  The Variations sur le Veni Creator Spiritus are from a larger work based on today’s great Pentecost hymn (504).  Each variation sets the plainchant melody clearly accompanied by imaginative and beautiful harmonies.  The opening variation sets the melody in chorale-like form; the second places the melody in canon between the right hand and pedal; the third is in a lively 2 against 3 metre with the melody in the soprano voice; the fourth places the melody in the pedal under a lush accompaniment; and the final variation is a glorious toccata with the plainchant again in canon between the manuals and pedals.

Today’s Psalm was written by the 2012-2013 Confirmation Class at the beginning of their year together, and was pointed and set to music by Richard Hoskins.

J. S. Bach’s Cantata #172: Erschallet ihr Lieder, written for the Feast of Pentecost, is a joyous piece in the expressive and homophonic style of Bach’s early works.  The opening and closing sections frame a strongly accented fugal second section. 

Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585) was a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elisabeth I, and joint-organist with William Byrd. His beloved motet,  If ye love Me, is written in the post-reformation style: each syllable set to one note. 

Glorious Voices & Parish Recital

Join us on June 2nd at 2:00 p.m., after the Parish Picnic, in the Harding Room for a festive afternoon of music featuring members of the Choir and our talented parishioners. Richard Hoskins invites all of our parish musicians, actors, dancers, and artists to perform.  Please speak to him if you, your family members, or friends would like to perform.  All are most welcome!