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St Machar Cathedral

Music for May 2021

1 May 2.

 Introit:   Allein Gott, in der Höh sei  Ehr:  J.Pachelbel(1653-1706)  

 Opening Hymn:   The Day of Resurrection (Sung by William Brown)

 Anthem:  A Gaelic Blessing:   Diana Burrell (b.1948)

 Music for Contemplation: Meine Seele erhebt den Herren: J. Pachelbel.

 Recessional Voluntary: Praeludium in d minor:  J. Pachelbel

2. May 9.

 Introit:   If ye love me   T.Tallis (c.1505-85)

 Opening Hymn:  Easter glory fills the skies (Sung by Henry Eves)

Anthem:   The Garden of thy Soul:  Geofffey Atkinson.(b.1944)

Music for Contemplation: Iste Confessor:  T.Tallis

Recessional Voluntary: Fugue on a theme of Corelli:  J.S.Bach (1685-1750)

(Played by Forbes Kinghorn)   

3. May 16.

 Introit:   Chorale:   William Mathias (1934-92)

Opening Hymn:  This joyful Eastertide   (Sung by Chris Brightly)

Anthem:  O Praise God in his Holiness:  C.V.Stanford (1852-1924)

Music for Contemplation:  Prelude:   C.Franck (1822-90)

Recessional Voluntary: Processional:    William Mathias

(Played by Forbes Kinghorn)

4. May 23 (Pentecost)

 Introit:   Komm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott: D.Buxtehude(1637-1707)

 Opening Hymn:  Christ is alive    (Sung by Tessa Kolster)

Anthem:   Jubilate in B flat:    C.V.Stanford (1852-1924)

Music for Contemplation:

Recessional Voluntary:  Komm, Gott, Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV 667: J.S.Bach(1685-1750)

(Played by Sam Paul)

5. May 30. (Trinity Sunday)

  Introit:   Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan: J.G.Walther(1684-1748)

 Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy    (Sung by William Brown)

Anthem:  Holy, Holy, Holy:    F.Schubert (16.6.19)

Music for Contemplation: Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan: J.Pachelbel1653-1706)

Recessional Voluntary: Fugue in E Flat (St Anne) BWV 552:  J.S.Bach(1685-1750)

About the music for May.

We are still not permitted any live singing at Services because of the restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic.  However, the Cathedral Choir still meets weekly via zoom. If any competent singer would like to join the Choir, please contact the Music Director, Dr. Roger B. Williams, at: rogerbevanwilliams@gmail.com.

The Music for this month reflects the fact that we are still in the season of Easter, with a sequence of hymns recorded by our Choral Scholars, as the Minister of the day walks to the prayer desk at the front. To comply with the Covid restrictions, these have been recorded and will be played over the speakers in the Cathedral.  This is to address the loss of congregational hymns- a loss that has been felt keenly over the last year. (There is also a ‘Hymn of the Month’, accessible through the Cathedral webpages.)  

The Anthems will be sung by the Choir, but once again in recorded versions, taken from past Services.  The repertoire from these will range from the nineteenth century German composer, Franz Schubert, through early twentieth century composer Charles Villiers Stanford, to more recent works by living composers Geoffrey Atkinson and Diana Burrell.

The organ music, covering a wide repertoire,  will be live, and will include compositions by the Tudor composer, Thomas Tallis, the north German baroque composer Johannes Pachelbel, the Swedish-born German composer Diederich Buxtehude, J.G.Walther and J.S.Bach. The twentieth century Welsh composer William Mathias will be featured on May 16

(RBW 5.4.2021)