Praying Twice

The Day of Pentecost May 31, 2020 We celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Today, we will hear organ settings of two classic Pentecost hymns. " Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist " ("We pray now to the Holy Spirit") is a German hymn. The first stanza dates to the Middle Ages, and additional stanzas were added by Martin Luther in the 16th century. The tune appears in organ chorales (organ compositions based on Lutheran chorale tunes) and cantatas by several Baroque composers, including this setting by Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707). Hear the authentic sound in this video recorded on a Silberman pipe organ built in  1721:  Nun bitten wir The organ postlude is a setting of the great plainsong hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus ("Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire"). This hymn dates from the 9th century and is typically sung on Pentecost and at ordinations. Originally in Latin, the hymn is found in an English translation in The Hymnal 1982...

The Seventh Sunday of Easter May 24, 2020 "Power," Tim Coleman, artist This Sunday, we'll hear organ arrangements of two classic hymns for the Seventh Sunday of Easter. "Crown him with many crowns" is a combination of hymns by two 19th century poets, Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring. The tune was composed by Sir George J. Elvey specifically for Bridges' text. The tune name, Diademata , comes from the Greek word for crowns. Watch a video of this hymn, sung at Westminster Abbey:  Crown him with many crowns "All hail the power of Jesus' Name!" combines a text and tune from the 18th century. It is regularly ranked as one of the most popular hymns among Episcopalians and at one point was nicknamed the "national anthem of Christendom." The text is full of scripture references. The tune, Coronation by Oliver Holden, is described in The Hymnal 1982 Companion as "the most often printed and most frequently used of the eighte...

The Sixth Sunday of Easter May 17, 2020 Trinity Cathedral Choir member  John Williamson at Down Ampney Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul of mine, and visit it with thine own ardor glowing; O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,  and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing . This beloved hymn was written by Bianco da Siena (c. 1367-1434), an Italian mystic poet. Very little is known of his life, but several of his hymns survive in English translations. The translation by 19th century poet Richard Frederick Littledale in The Hymnal 1982 is an example of the Romantic era's fascination with the Middle Ages. A priest and prolific author, Littledale is best known for this classic hymn. The tune was composed by the 20th century British composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). It is named for Vaughan Williams' birthplace and was composed specifically for this text. The Hymnal 1982 Companion notes: "It has a very satisfying rhythmical st...

The Fifth Sunday of Easter May 10, 2020 Mary Magdalene announcing  the resurrection to the apostles Unknown artist, c. 1123 As we celebrate the Great Fifty Days of Easter, we continue to explore the great hymns of the season. Today's organ prelude is a setting of an important hymn in the history of church music. Victimae paschali laudes ("Christians, to the Paschal victim"), comes to us from the Middle Ages. The tune dates from the 11th century, and multiple documents dating to the 14th century and earlier contain the text. Episcopal congregations first experienced singing this hymn in The Hymnal 1940 . Hear a recording of the hymn in the original Latin:  Victimae Paschali laudes Note that in this hymn, Mary speaks. Here is the English translation from The Hymnal 1982 , #183: Christians, to the Paschal victim offer your thankful praises! A lamb the sheep redeemeth: Christ, who only is sinless, reconcileth sinners to the Father. Death and life have...