January 10, 2016

Piero della Francesca, Baptism of Christ, National Gallery, London, 1448-50
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove [NRSV, Luke 3:21-22a].
Christ Church Cathedral Choir Notes  
Baptism of the Lord
Click to go immediately to:


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On the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6,  immediately following the 12:15 pm Eucharist, Patrick Wedd will perform at the 1980 Wilhelm organ the following programme (Admission free):
Einige canonische Veränderungen über das Wienachtslied “Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her”, BWV 769a
     Canon all’ottava
     Canon alla quinta
     Canon all settima
     Canon per augmentationem
     Canto fermo in canone
[Kibbie: listen], Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Les Mages (La Nativité du Seigneur) [Bate: musicMe], Olivier Messiaen (1908-92)
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223 [Bardon: musicMe], Dietrich Buxtehude(1637-1707)
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern [YouTube], Joseph Ahrens (1904-97)

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Giotto di Bondone, Three Miracles: Magi, Cana, Baptism; Cappella degli Scrovegni, Padua, 1304-06
Tribus Miraculis, which celebrates the the three epiphanies of our Lord: the adoration of the magi, the baptism, and the changing of water into wine at Cana, is the Magnificat antiphon at Roman Catholic Second Vespers for the Solemnity of the Epiphany.  In the version by Palestrina it is the Communion motet and the anthem at Choral Evensong this coming Sunday.
Tribus miraculis ornatum diem sanctum colimus:
hodie stella Magos duxit ad praesepium:
hodie vinum ex aqua factum est ad nuptias:
hodie in Jordane a Joanne Christus baptizari voluit,
ut salvaret nos. Alleluia.
We celebrate a day sanctified by three miracles:
today a star led the Wise Men to the manger;
today water was changed into wine at the marriage feast;
today Christ chose to be baptised by John in the Jordan
for our salvation. Alleluia
Gregorian Chant, by Giovanni Vianini [YouTube]
Gregorian Chant, by Nova Schola Gregoriana, Albert Turco conducting [musicMe]


Luca Marenzio, by the Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral(London), John Scott conducting [YouTube] Click to read about.
Luca Marenzio, by the Choir of St. David’s Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas [listen]


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Sandro Botticelli, Salome with the Head of St John the Baptist (detail). Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, 1488
Complete video performance of Richard Strauss, Salome,with Maria Ewing (Salome), Michael Devin(Jochanaan), Robin Leggate (Narraboth), Fiona Kimm (Page), Kenneth Riegel (Herod), Gillian Knight (Herodias), The Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra and Chorus, Edward Downes conducting. Subtitles in English. [YouTube]
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Charles Tournemire, L'orgue mystique: Nativity Cycle, Op. 56: No. 8.
Mass of the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Prelude for the Introit [YouTube]
Offertory  [YouTube]


Elevation [YouTube]
Communion [YouTube]
Fantasy - Choral  [YouTube]
Click for the entire performance of L'Orgue mystique byGeorges Delvallée.
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Bach Cantatas for the First Sunday after Epiphany:
Giotto di Bondone, Jesus among the Doctors, Cappella degli Scrovegni, Padua, c.1305
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen / Dearest Jesus, my desire, Cantata 32, with performances by Leonhardt, Leusink and Sarasa Ensemble.  
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht / I shall not let my Jesus go, Cantata 124, with performances by Harnoncourt, Leusink and Richter.
Click to go to Johann Sebastian Bach, Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren / My dearest Jesus is lost, Cantata 154, with performances by Harnoncourt, Leusink, and Suzuki.