The Second Coming, San Vitale, Ravenna, 6th cent.
Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming [NRSV, Matthew 24:42].
Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes
The First Sunday of Advent
Gentile Bellini, Procession in Piazza San Marco (detail), Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, 1496
In place of evensong this coming Sunday, there will be a festive procession of lessons and carols. Click to access the complete programme.
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Conditor Alme Siderum
(Creator of the Stars of Night) is the quintessential advent hymn.
During advent it is always sung at Roman Catholic vespers. The Mass setting by Giovanni Animuccia at the 10:00am choral Eucharist is based on it as well as Di Lassus' motet. The postludes at both choral Eucharists this Sunday are organ versions of the hymn by Jehan Titelouze. Malcolm Archer has an English language version in the afternoon service of Advent music.Jehan Titelouze, Conditor alme siderum, performed by Yves-G. Préfontaine on the 1699 Tribout organ of the Church of St. Martin, Seurre, France with Les Chantres du Roy [BNQ] [BM] (info)
Click to read about Conditor alme siderum and to listen to a number of choral and organ arrangements.
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"O" Antiphons are an important element in Advent liturgy since the ninth century. A number of them will be sung during this year's Procession of Carols and Lessons for Advent.
"O" by Eric Gill
Click to read about "O" Antiphons and listen to them in plainchant sung by the Dominican students of Blackfriars, Oxford, as well as versions by Healey Willan, Arvo Pärt and others.
"O" Antiphons are an important element in Advent liturgy since the ninth century. A number of them will be sung during this year's Procession of Carols and Lessons for Advent. "O" by Eric Gill
Click to read about "O" Antiphons and listen to them in plainchant sung by the Dominican students of Blackfriars, Oxford, as well as versions by Healey Willan, Arvo Pärt and others.
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George Frideric Handel, Messiah
The Annual Handel's Messiah Sing-along will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, December 14, 5:00 pm, with the Cathedral Singers and orchestra, Patrick Wedd directing. Soloists: Sinead White, soprano; Ghislaine Deschambault, mezzo-soprano; Kevin Myers, tenor; and Jean-Sebastien Kennedy, baritone. Scores will be available. Free admission / voluntary contribution.
2011 video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Julian Wachner, conductor. [listen]
2011 video performance by the Trinity Church (Wall Street) Choir with the Trinity Baroque Orchestra, Julian Wachner, conductor. [listen]
Click to read about Messiah with access to a number of free online performances.
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McGill University Noon-Hour Organ Recital Series
The Wolff organ of Redpath Hall - Admission Free
Mark McDonald and Adrian Foster of the Cathedral music programme will perform on November 29 and December 6. See below.
Fridays from November 1 to December 6 at 12:30 pm
November 29: Mark McDonald
ProgrammeDecember 6: Mark McDonald, Adrian Foster, Jonathan Vromet Programme
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Click to go to Bach Cantatas for Online Listening.
Netherlandish Miniaturist, Entry into Jerusalem
Très Belles Heures de Notre Dame de Jean de Berry
Museo Civico d'Arte Antica, Palazzo Madama, Turin, 1409
Bach Cantatas for the First Sunday of Advent:
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Schwingt freudig euch empor / Soar in your joy, Cantata 36, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Kuijken, Leusink and Rilling.
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland / Now come, Saviour of the Gentile, Cantata 61, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Leusink, Richter and Thomas.
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland / Now come, saviour of the gentiles, Cantata 62, with performances by Gardiner, Harnoncourt, Kamp and Leusink.