November 23, 2008

Good Shepherd, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, 5th cent.

As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness (NRSV, Ezekiel 34:12).

Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes

The Reign of Christ / Feast of the Dedication

Click to go immediately to:
1) The Music Programme Homepage
2) The Music Calendar for Choral Eucharist and Evensong
3) The Concert Calendar.

Both anthems at evensong this Sunday, November 23, use the text of Glorious and powerful God.

Click to read about Orlando Gibbons and to hear his version, sung by the Clerkes of Oxenford, David Wulstan conducting (text).

Orlando Gibbons

Then click to read about Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and his version, performed by the Trinity Church Wall Street Choir (text).

Click again for the canticles for evensong: Orlando Gibbons, Second Service. Unfortunately the organ voluntaries by Stanford are not available for online listening.
Sir Charles Villers Stanford

Cipriano de Rore, of Franco-Flemish orign, was a prolific Renaissance composer of madrigals, Masses and motets while in the service of the Este family in Ferrara. His Jubilate Deo is the introit for Choral Eucharist this Sunday, November 23.

Click to read about Cipriano de Rore and listen to a variety of his madrigals and motets performed by the Ensemble Weser Renaissance Bremen.

Patrick Wedd will continue his reprise of the complete organ works of Olivier Messiaen on the Wilhelm organ of Christ Church Cathedral this Saturday, November 22, at 5:00 pm.

Patrick Wedd will perform Olivier Messiaen, Méditations sur le mystère de la Sainte Trinité.

To prepare, listen to: Jennifer Bate, Oliver Latry, Dame Gillian Weir.

St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue has online excellent programme notes. Click here, then go to page 23 for the comments on Méditations sur le mystère de la Sainte Trinité.

These programme notes accompany John Scott's Messiaen recitals at St. Thomas. Click here to listen online.

ATMA Classique is releasing a Messiaen disc on Tuesday, November 18: Fête des belles eaux and Feuillets Inédits performed by Louis Bessette, piano; and L'Ensemble d'ondes de Montréal.

Click to read about and listen to a performance of Fête des belles eaux (artists unknown).

Click for a YouTube version of the 4ème Feuillet inédit played by Jean-François Zygel (piano) and Thomas Bloch (ondes Martenot).

This year the Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols will take place on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, December 7, at 4:00 pm.

Agnolo Brozino, St. John the Baptist, Galleria Borghese, Rome, 1550-55

McGill Autumn Noon-Hour Organ Recital Series
The Wolff organ of Redpath Hall - Admission Free

Friday, November 21: Eduoardo Bellotti (Milan). Works by Old Italian Masters.

Christ of the Deesis, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, c. 1200

Click to go to Bach Cantatas for Online Listening and Johann Sebastian Bach,Cantata 182, performed by Alto: Paul Esswood; Tenor: Kurt Equiluz; Bass: Robert Holl; Tölzer Knabenchor (Chorus Master: Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden) / Concentus Musicus Wien; Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting.