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St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge The Diocese of London
The Solemn Eucharist
The Second Sunday before Lent February 12th 2012 at 11 a.m.
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Welcome to St Paul’s Knightsbridge, part of the Diocese of London and a church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. If you are visiting us from another church, please make yourself known to the sidesmen or to one of the clergy after the service. Members of all Christian churches are welcome to share with us in this Eucharist – and those who do not wish to receive the Sacrament are invited to approach the altar at the time of Communion, to receive a blessing.
There is a loop system in the lower parts of the church for the benefit of the hearing-‐‑impaired. Hearing aid users
should switch their devices to ‘T’.
During the service a collection will be taken for the work of the church in this parish,
throughout the Diocese of London and further afield. Please use the special envelopes at the end of each pew to maximise your giving through the ‘Giftaid’ scheme.
Members of the congregation are asked to ensure that mobile phones are switched off (or to silent) and are reminded
that the taking of photographs or the making of audio or video recordings during services is prohibited.
Cover image: William Blake (1757-‐‑1827). The Ancient of Days,
or God Creating the Universe.
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Order of Service
The Introductory Rite At 11 a.m. a bell is rung. The Servers and Sacred Ministers enter and process to cense the High Altar before returning to the platform. All stand to sing:
T H E E N T R AN C E H YMN
Praise the Lord: ye heavens, adore Him;
Praise Him, angels in the height. Sun and moon, rejoice before Him; Praise Him, all ye stars of light.
Praise the Lord, for He hath spoken; Worlds His mighty voice obeyed. Laws which never shall be broken For their guidance He hath made.
Praise the Lord, for He is glorious; Never shall His promise fail.
God hath made His saints victorious; Sin and death shall not prevail. Praise the God of our salvation;
Hosts on high, His power proclaim. Heaven and earth and all creation, Laud and magnify His Name.
Worship, honour, glory, blessing,
Lord, we offer unto Thee. Young and old, Thy praise expressing,
In glad homage bend the knee. All the saints in heaven adore Thee; We would bow before Thy throne. As Thine angels serve before Thee, So on earth Thy will be done.
Words: Foundling Hospital Collection, 1801 Music: Austria, F.J. Haydn (1732-‐‑1809)
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THE GREETING
When all are in their places the Celebrant says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Lord be with you and with thy spirit.
THE PRAYER OF PREPARATION Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name; through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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THE PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
The Deacon says: My brothers and sisters, as we prepare to celebrate the presence of Christ in word and sacrament, let us call to mind and confess our sins.
All kneel. Silence is kept. The Deacon then says: Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. The Celebrant says: Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. After the intonation of Gloria in excelsis Deo, all sit.
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GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens, Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus. Tu solus Dominus. Tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly king, God, the Father almighty. O Lord, the only-‐‑begotten son, Jesus Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art the most high, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Music: Mass in C -‐‑ Franz Peter Schubert (1797 – 1828)
THE COLLECT The Celebrant introduces a period of silence: Let us pray. Almighty God, who hast created the heavens and the earth and hast made us in thine own image: teach us to discern thy hand in all thy works and thy likeness in all thy children; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. All sit.
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The Liturgy of the Word
THE FIRST READING Proverbs 8: 1, 22-‐‑31
A reading from the book of Proverbs. Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth— when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world’s first bits of soil. When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.
At the end:
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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THE PSALMODY The Choir sings: O Lord, how manifold are thy works : in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches. So is the great and wide sea also: wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan : whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein. These wait all upon thee : that thou mayest give them meat in due season. When thou givest it them they gather it : and when thou openest thy hand they are filled with good. When thou hidest thy face they are troubled : when thou takest away their breath they die, and are turned again to their dust. When thou lettest thy breath go forth they shall be made : and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. The glorious Majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever : the Lord shall rejoice in his works. The earth shall tremble at the look of him : if he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live : I will praise my God while I have my being. And so shall my words please him : my joy shall be in the Lord. As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end : praise thou the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord.
Psalm 104: 26-‐‑end
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THE SECOND READING
Colossians 1: 15-‐‑20
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians. Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first-‐‑born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities -‐‑-‐‑ all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-‐‑born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-‐‑eminent. For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
At the end:
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
All stand.
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THE GRADUAL HYMN
The spacious firmament on high, with all the blue ethereal sky, and spangled heavens, a shining frame, their great Original proclaim. The unwearied sun from day to day does his Creator'ʹs power display; and publishes to every land the work of an almighty hand. Soon as the evening shades prevail, the moon takes up the wondrous tale, and nightly to the listening earth repeats the story of her birth: whilst all the stars that round her burn, and all the planets in their turn, confirm the tidings, as they roll and spread the truth from pole to pole. What though in solemn silence all move round the dark terrestrial ball? What though no real voice nor sound amid their radiant orbs be found? In reason'ʹs ear they all rejoice, and utter forth a glorious voice; for ever singing as they shine, "ʺThe hand that made us is divine."ʺ
Words: Joseph Addison, (1672-‐‑1719) Music: Creation, London (Addison'ʹs)
All remain standing.
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THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION The Cantor sings:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. All turn to face the Deacon.
THE GOSPEL READING The Deacon says: The Lord be with you And with thy spirit. Hear the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to John. Glory be to thee, O Lord.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
John 1: 1-‐‑14
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
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THE SERMON Fr Stephen Young Senior Curate
Silence is kept.
THE CREED
All stand with the Celebrant, who says: Let us make affirmation of our faith. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-‐‑begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. All remain standing.
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THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father. All kneel. Either of the following responses may be used: Lord in thy mercy or Lord, hear us hear our prayer Lord, graciously hear us. For the departed, these words may be used: Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord and let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. At the end, a brief period of silence is kept for personal prayer. All say: Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. All sit.
THE NOTICES All stand.
THE PEACE The Celebrant says: May the God of peace make you perfect and holy, that you may be kept safe and blameless in spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of the Lord be always with you. and with thy spirit. The Deacon says: Let us offer one another a sign of peace. All exchange a sign of peace with those standing close by.
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The Liturgy of the Sacrament
THE OFFERTORY The gifts of the people are carried to the altar and presented. A collection is taken to support our work, ministry and charitable giving. Please use the Gift Aid envelopes provided, remembering to fill in all the details. The altar is prepared and the gifts of bread and wine, the altar, and the sanctuary party are censed.
THE COLLECTION HYMN For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise. For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light. R For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild. R For each perfect gift of thine to our race so freely given, graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven. R
Words: Folliot Sandford Pierpoint (1835-‐‑1917) Music: ‘Lucerna laudoniae’, David Evans (1874-‐‑1948)
All sit.
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The choir sings: THE OFFERTORY MOTET
Exultate Deo
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525–1594)
Exsultate Deo, adjutori nostro: jubilate Deo Jacob. Sumite psalmum et date tympanum: psalterium jucundum cum cithara. Buccinate in neomenia tuba: insigni die solemnitatis vestrae. Rejoice in God our helper: sing aloud to the God of Jacob. Take the psalm and bring hither the timbrel: the merry harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet in the new moon, even on our solemn feast day.
Psalm 80
When the Thurifer approaches, all stand to be censed. After being censed, all remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer.
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER The Celebrant sings: All respond:
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It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, thine only Son, our Lord. For he is thy living Word; through him thou hast created all things from the beginning, and fashioned us in thine own image. Through him thou didst redeem us from the slavery of sin, giving him to be born of a woman, to die upon the cross, and to rise again for us. Through him thou hast made us a people for thine own possession, exalting him to thy right hand on high, and sending forth through him thy holy and life-‐‑giving Spirit. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee and saying: The choir sings: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth, Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua, Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Music: Mass in C -‐‑ Franz Peter Schubert (1797 – 1828)
The prayer continues: Accept our praises, heavenly Father, through thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and as we follow his example and obey his command, grant that by the power of thy Holy Spirit these gifts of bread and wine may be unto us his body and his blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks to thee, he gave it to them, saying: Drink ye all of this; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
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Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross; we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look for the coming of his kingdom and with this bread and this cup we make the memorial of Christ, thy Son, our Lord.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again Accept through him, our great high priest, this our sacrifice of thanks and praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence of thy divine majesty, renew us by thy Holy Spirit, inspire us with thy love, and unite us in the body of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father almighty, world without end. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
All kneel. The Celebrant sings: Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.
All sing:
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THE FRACTION The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread, saying: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
THE GIVING OF HOLY COMMUNION By way of invitation to receive the Sacrament the Celebrant says: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed. The Sacred Ministers and Servers receive the Holy Communion, followed by the people, beginning with those seated at the front of the Nave. All who normally do so in their own Church are invited to receive the Sacrament. Those who do not wish to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion are invited to approach the altar to receive a blessing, carrying this booklet in their hands as an indication to the Priest. The choir sings:
AGNUS DEI Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Donna nobis pacem. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Music: Music: Mass in C -‐‑ Franz Peter Schubert (1797 – 1828)
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COMMUNION ANTHEM
O Sacrum Convivium Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 –1611)
O sacrum convivium in quo Christus sumitur: recolitur memoria passionis eius: mens impletur gratia: et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur. Alleluia. O sacred banquet in which Christ is received, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory to us is given. Alleluia.
Antiphon for the feast of Corpus Christi -‐‑ Saint Thomas Aquinas.
PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION The Celebrant introduces a period of silent prayer. Let us pray. All kneel. O God our creator, by whose gift the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise, and the bread of life at the heart of thy Church: may we who have been nourished at thy table on earth be transformed by the glory of the Saviour'ʹs cross and enjoy the delights of eternity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, we thank thee for feeding us with the body and blood of thy Son, Jesus Christ. Through him we offer thee our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of thy Spirit to live and work to thy praise and glory. Amen.
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THE CONCLUDING HYMN
Thou, whose almighty word chaos and darkness heard, and took their flight; hear us, we humbly pray, and, where the Gospel day sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light! Thou who didst come to bring on thy redeeming wing healing and sight, health to the sick in mind, sight to the inly blind, O now to all mankind, let there be light! Spirit of truth and love, life-‐‑giving holy Dove, speed forth thy flight! Move o’er the waters'ʹ face bearing the lamp of grace, and, in earth'ʹs darkest place, let there be light! Holy and blessèd Three, glorious Trinity, Wisdom, Love, Might; boundless as ocean'ʹs tide, rolling in fullest pride, through the world far and wide, let there be light!
Words: John Marriott (1780-‐‑1825) Music: ‘Moscow’, F. Giardini (1716-‐‑96)
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The Concluding Rite
THE BLESSING & THE DISMISSAL All stand. The Celebrant says: The Lord be with you and with thy spirit. God the Father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you now and always. Amen. The Deacon says: Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God.
All remain standing as the Servers and Sacred Ministers depart.
ORGAN VOLUNTARY
Prelude & Fugue in D Minor BWV 539 J. S. Bach (1685-‐‑1750)
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NOTES ON THE READINGS
Proverbs 8. 1. 22-‐‑31 The “child” (v. 8) is advised to hear his “father’s instruction” and not to reject his “mother’s teaching”. He is warned: “if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, ‘Come with us ... let us wantonly ambush the innocent’” (v. 11), i.e. cause trouble for the good for no reason, the sinners do not heed warnings; in fact they “kill themselves” (v. 18) and “set an ambush – for their own lives”. Now wisdom, personified as a woman (“she”, v. 20) makes her first appearance in the book and delivers warnings of her own. She speaks in public places where she can be heard – as did the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah -‐‑ reaching ordinary people in the “street” and business people who work at the “city gates” (v. 21). She calls to the “simple” (v. 22, who don’t know better), to the “scoffers” (who take pleasure in cynicism) and to “fools” (who despise knowledge) – all of whom reject wisdom. If only they would change their ways, she would make God’s ways known to them (v. 23). But they have not (vv. 24-‐‑25), so (as they laugh at her), she will have the last laugh: at their downfall (“calamity”, v. 26), her mocking laughter will repay their obstinacy. Their downfall will be sudden and unpredictable, as is a Palestinian “storm” (v. 27) and “whirlwind”. Their call for help will come too late (v. 28). Then vv. 29-‐‑31: because they “hated knowledge” and chose not to hold God in awe, would not accept the advice of Lady Wisdom and “despised” her criticism of their ways, they will reap what they have sown: they will be punished by the very evil deeds they have committed (v. 32). On the other hand, those who heed Wisdom’s call will live in peace (“secure”, v. 33) and in comfort, “with no fear of misfortune” (Revised English Bible). Colossians 1:15-‐‑20 The Christians at Colossae lived in a society where many adhered to Greek cults. Vv. 15-‐‑20 are an early hymn about Christ (“He”); he is how we see (and access) God (“image”). Angelology was popular at the time; “thrones ... powers” (v. 16) were orders of angelic beings; each was “created”, had its origin “in him”, and exists “for him”; any power they have is subordinate to Christ’s. The whole of creation – both heavenly and earthly – were created “through him”, with his participation. He is also the “firstborn” (v. 18), the inheritor from the Father, of created-‐‑ness; he governs it, and is the cohesive power of the universe (v. 17). He existed “before all things”, before the first creative act. Greeks saw the “head” (v. 18) as the body’s source of life and growth. Christ is this to the Church, and “head” of it in the modern
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sense. He is “the beginning”, the nucleus of the restoration of humanity to union with God, of the new created-‐‑ness. In his death (“blood of his cross”, v. 20), resurrection, and ascension to the Father, he is the forerunner (“firstborn”, v. 18) of our elevation to being with the Father, of our reconciliation with the Father (v. 20). Christians at Colossae tried to find ultimate power and truth in various deities, but in Christ all power and ultimate truth is present (v. 19). John 1:1-‐‑14 The intent of this gospel is “that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah [the Christ], the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name” (20:31). John begins from God’s creative act: “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth ...” (Genesis 1:1), the Word, he who became a human (v. 14a), already existed. He was “with God” (v. 1) and (with the Father and the Holy Spirit); he was God. He was the agent through whom “all things came into being” (v. 3). Through him, life (physical and spiritual) began: life given by God, “the light of all people” (v. 4). It shines in a world of unbelief and opposition to God’s ways, and wins out (v. 5). John the Baptist came to “testify” (v. 7) to goodness, to point to Jesus (v. 8), the embodiment of perfect goodness, who was to come (v. 9). Jesus was rejected by most people (v. 11), but to those who believed in him, in who he was, he gave the opportunity to be adopted by God, as his children (v. 12) – and so to become one with him. Believers are reborn into God’s family through the Holy Spirit (“of God”, v. 13). The Word, Christ, became human (“flesh”, v. 14) and “lived among us”. The author is witness to God’s manifest power (“glory”) as seen in Jesus, that he is the only, unique, highly valued, son of the Father, that he possesses God’s attributes of free giving to humankind (“grace”) and ultimate truth.
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NOTES ON THE MUSIC
Mass No.4 in C, Op.48, D.452 – Franz Peter Schubert (1797 – 1828) Schubert’s first mass setting was written in 1814, at the young age of 17 and he went on to write seven masses throughout his life. This setting dates from 1825 and is the only mass setting to be published during the composer’s life time. Unlike many other composers of the same period, Schubert’s output was not focussed upon church music at any point of his life and this creates settings with a certain characteristic charm resulting from influences from other areas of composition. Schubert’s vast output of songs, an output which reached 150 songs composed during the year 1715 (as well as other compositions in the same year), shows a unique attitude to text setting and writing accompaniments to colour the vocal line and these traits may be found within this mass setting. The setting of the Gloria, for example, features an accompaniment (originally orchestral) which is often very intricate to contrast the more sturdy textures of the vocal parts. Influenced by the settings of Haydn, Mozart and even Beethoven, solo voices are employed in sections throughout and are particularly notable in the Agnus Dei where the full choir sing ‘miserere’ in answer to the solo introduction of ‘Agnus Dei’. Combined with Schubert’s own harmonic language, this setting is both colourful and distinctive. Exultate Deo – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 – 94) Palestrina’s iconic status as the composer who defined the sixteenth century polyphonic style was developed during his lifetime, partly following the outcomes of the Council of Trent when, in 1563, Palestrina was able to present a new and forward looking approach to text setting. Palestrina was a notoriously difficult employee and his job at St. John Lateran in Rome was short lived because he believed that he was not given enough money for the provision of music at the church. Later in his career he also turned down the position of Imperial choir master in Vienna because the pay was not high enough for him. The huge number of works written by Palestrina were not all published during his lifetime and this motet is one of around 375 motets attributed to him. ‘Exultate Deo’ is a five voice motet from the fifth book of motets, dating from 1584 and it is a striking and lively setting of psalm 81. The opening point of imitation sets this up with a rising figure which spans over an octave in two bars. Later in the piece a colourful section of rising scales sets the word ‘tuba’, contrasted with the triadic setting of ‘buccinate’ just before. O Sacrum convivium à 6 -‐‑ Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 – 1611) Victoria was Spanish by birth but educated in Rome at the Jesuit German College at a time when Palestrina worked at the seminary in Rome where it is believed that they must have met. Unlike Palestrina, however, Victoria managed to get all of his works published during his lifetime (although this is a significantly smaller body of works). This setting of a text for Corpus Christi was published in 1572 in a collection of motets dedicated to the Cardinal Archbishop of Augsburg, in response to his generous funding of the German College, where Victoria was both pupil and teacher. Scored for a choir of six voices, with two alto and two tenor parts, this setting is in many ways typical of Victoria’s style. He uses the six voices in ever changing combinations throughout and makes frequent use of the effect gained by contrasting the three
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upper and three lower voices and the opening phrases show this effect. Compared to Palestrina’s settings, Victoria tends to punctuate the music with stronger cadences and with the textural changes, producing a very different effect of moving through the piece. The texture loosens toward the end of the motet in the alleluia sung by all parts in imitation with gentle descending phrases. Prelude and Fugue in D minor – J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750) This prelude and fugue dates from Bach’s period working in Köthen, between 1708 and 1717. The fugue has the nickname of the ‘fiddle fugue’ because it is a reworking of a fugue for solo violin, from the composer’s Suite in G minor, BWV 1001 (ii) for solo violin, dating from the same period. The comparatively understated prelude for manuals alone explores different patterns of figuration by means of a range of keys and harmonic moves and it was perhaps written as a piece for harpsichord. The fugue which follows is a lively piece which is characterised by a subject containing many repeated notes (which would be natural for violin writing). As a result of its transcription to organ, this fugue sounds lighter in texture than other fugues by Bach and it ends with a typical flourish before the final cadence.
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THE CHOIR OF ST PAUL’S KNIGHTSBRIDGE
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Stephen Farr
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Christian Wilson
The Music & Musicians of St Paul’s Knightsbridge
St Paul’s Knightsbridge maintains a regular professional choir of eight and the
services of both a Director (Stephen Farr) and Assistant Director of Music (Christian Wilson). The organ is by Henry Willis & Sons and dates from 1888. The musical repertoire, Sunday by Sunday, is diverse and often boldly ambitious: at the Solemn
Mass at 11 am there is always a choral mass setting and two seasonal anthems, one at the Offertory and the other during Communion. Full details of the music for each week – along with a programme note – is published in the service paper. The musicians also sing and play for weddings, baptisms, funerals and memorial services at the church.
St Paul’s Knightsbridge is grateful to The Berkeley Hotel for its generous and
neighbourly support of the music.
Parts of this service are © the Archbishops’ Council 2001. The hymns are reproduced with permission under CCLE Licence No. 666560
The service is compiled and printed at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge. For further information about the life of St Paul’s, please contact:
The Parish Office, 32A Wilton Place, London SW1X 8SH 020 7201 9999
As part of our commitment to sustaining God’s creation,
this service paper is printed on paper from sustainable forests, and any waste paper will be recycled.
www.stpaulsknightsbridge.org
