Come, Holy Spirit

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 #504. Hear the music and see the score: Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire

Today marks the culmination of the Great Fifty Days of Easter. Wear something red for Pentecost, and find creative ways to celebrate the feast!
Music for The Day of Pentecost
May 31, 2020

 Organ chorale: Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist     
(We pray now to the Holy Spirit)
Dietrich Buxtehude

 Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire     
(Veni, Creator Spiritus)
setting by Wilbur Held
Today marks the final post for Praying Twice. As many of you know, I have accepted a faculty appointment as Associate Professor of Church Music at Virginia Theological Seminary. This is my last Sunday at Trinity Cathedral, and I begin my new position on July 1. More information is available here: VTS

 Thank you, faithful readers. I hope that these weekly posts have helped you discover the wealth of resources for prayer and worship that are present in sacred music. I have enjoyed writing these weekly posts about our history and heritage. Through the Church, God's song goes on!

 Marty Wheeler Burnett, D.Min.
Canon Precentor
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral 
Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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