A Creole tune

Bamboula, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, 1848 - First learned of this piece reading David McCullough's The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris last summer. Gottschalk was from New Orleans, but wrote this piece in Paris as an attempt to synthesize Creole and African music with classical European piano.

Candlemas

In my time praying [parts of] the Divine Office, I have found it spiritually rewarding in many ways, not least of which has been my sharpened sensitivity to the liturgical year. The Little Chapter for Daytime Prayer during Ordinary Time - "Owe no man anything but to love one another. He who loves his neighbor hath fulfilled the Law" - has often leaped to mind at opportune moments of frustration or anger. Certainly it expresses well the theological implications of Ordinary Time; that of the continued work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. Similarly, I have become quite attached to the antiphons in honor of Our Lady that close the recitation of Night Prayer. The Salve Regina is predominant throughout most of the year and is probably the best known. The Regina Caeli is used during Easter, the Ave Regina Caelorum during Lent and pre-Lent, and the Alma Redemptoris Mater from the beginning of Advent until today. Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (once known as Candlemas), which commemorates the 40th day since Christmas and marks the end of the portion of the liturgical year that deals with the mysteries of God's incarnation and self-revelation. We have come to the pre-Lenten season that is traditionally called Septuagesima which is Latin for seventieth as it is approximately seventy days til Easter. In the older form of the Roman Rite, the Alleluia is suppressed and purple vestments are worn in preparation for the beginning of Lent in a few weeks. Since I do not often attend a traditional parish, I will not notice these changes during Sunday Mass, but, since the Office has changed the antiphon to the Ave Regina Caelorum I will be reminded each evening that the joy of Christmas has transitioned toward the sorrows of Lent. So, then, for one last time this liturgical year, the Alma Redemptoris Mater:

 

Dvorák's Requiem

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - popularly known as All Souls Day - is just around the corner. I thought I'd post this beautiful peace of music for the occasion. It is the Offertorium from Antonin Dvorák's Requiem. I enjoy much of Dvorák's work, especially his famed Symphony from the New World. In any event, this piece is glorious, and the rest of the Requiem is recommended for your listening pleasure as well.

Te Deum by Arvo Pärt

Performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under the direction of Tönu Kaljuste in St Nicholas Church, Tallinn

This piece of music was composed in 1984, but it certainly evokes the echos of the centuries. There are bits that remind me of the best of Palestrina, and there are other bits that seem like pure, unadulterated Byzantium. In all, it is both subtle and sublime. 

Merry Christmas

I send to all readers of this blog heartfelt wishes for a blessed and joyous Christmas! What we have heard for the past stretch of time bears repetition here: "All of the oracles of the prophets foretold him, the Virgin Mother longed for him with love beyond all telling, John the Baptist sang of his coming and proclaimed his presence when he came." I humbly pray that we all might be able to take some bit of that longing for Christ expressed in that prayer and allow it to transform our lives. As they say, a baby changes everything. Please also take a moment to enjoy the music below. It is Tomas Luis de Victoria's version of O Magnum Mysterium which was sung as the communion hymn last night at midnight mass at the cathedral. Once again; Merry Christmas!

 

Haydn's "Te Deum" for the Empress Marie Therese

We have been rather too neglectful of Joseph Haydn, the Austrian composer of the classical period. His work is often overshadowed by the other giants of the era, most notably Mozart. This is Haydn's "Te Deum" for Empress Marie Therese. The "Te Deum" is an ancient hymn of praise originally written by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, in the Fourth Century. This particular version is quite joyful and happy. Enjoy!

Rule Britannia!

Fun discovery today: that little musical bit they always play in movies when the scene cuts to something British has words. The sound bit in question comes from the chorus of the British patriotic song Rule Britannia which reads, "Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves! Britons never shall be slaves." Have a listen to the fantastic (and slightly humorous) version above.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mozart's Coronation Mass is perhaps the greatest musical treasure in Western civilization. Clearly I'm biased, however. But, lest I deprive you of your own opinion on the matter, have a listen to the Gloria above. Truly sublime (both the music and the stunning visuals of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna).

The text of this portion of the mass, in Latin and English is below:

Glória in excélsis Deo et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis. Laudámus te, benedícimus te, adorámus te, glorificámus te, grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam, Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens. Dómine Fili Unigénite, Iesu Christe, Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris, qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis; qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram. Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis. Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus, tu solus Altíssimus, Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spíritu: in glória Dei Patris. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

This is one of my favorite orchestral works of all time (save, of course, anything by Mozart). It just has such power and emotion. Particularly astute listeners may notice the tune of "O God Beyond All Praising" in the midst of the composition.