Gloria Patri practice

Videos for practicing congregational singing for Gloria Patri (Greatorex):

Soprano and Alto

Tenor and Bass

Congregational Singing Index

I've created a number of videos to help congregations (like our own) which are interested in singing in parts practice a few basic pieces.  There is nothing beautiful about these videos - rather to the contrary - but they should help anyone who can use help in singing in parts.  With each video, one or two of the four parts is emphasized with a "brighter" voice/tone in a louder volume, with the other parts in the background, with the notes to the musical parts displayed as the music progresses.

Doxology

Gloria Patri

Schubert Sanctus (Holy Holy)

For Passion Week (Easter):
Part-specific practice vids for "Holy, Holy, Holy" from youtube user Choirparts - I didn't make these vids:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Choirparts/videos?query=Nicaea
Sheet music for Holy Holy Holy:
http://www.ccwatershed.org/pdfs/209-holy-holy-holy-lord-god-almighty-nicaea/download/

Part-specific practice vids for "O Sacred Head": http://www.youtube.com/user/Choirparts/videos?query=Sacred+Head

Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bonds (not a practice-type video; simply a choir singing this piece): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA3P244DSss

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (I)

Bach's manuscript of Nun komm

Today's church people are missing a beautiful gift of inestimable worth.

In Bach's age, all Christians who regularly attended church would have known Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland.  This is a simple hymn about the coming of Christ.

Just hearing the tune evokes the profound message of the hymn:

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,
Der Jungfrauen Kind erkannt!
Dass sich wundre alle Welt,
Gott solch' Geburt ihm bestellt.

Now come, Saviour of the gentiles,
recognised as the child of the Virgin,
so that all the world is amazed
God ordained such a birth for him.

The hymn itself is by Martin Luther (German text and English translation); it is largely based upon the hymn Veni, Redemptor Gentium ("Come, Redeemer of the Earth" - Latin text and English translation) - by St. Ambrose - the bishop of Milan who had a profound influence upon St. Augustine of Hippo.

Anglican Report with Kevin Kallsen and George Conger

From Today's Morning Prayer: Psalm 2, Quare fremuerunt gentes

Camille Saint-Saëns: Quare fremuerunt gentes

il Concerto di Natale del Coro Polifonico di San Nicola, Pisa Coro Polifonico San Nicola di Pisa, Tuscan Chamber Orchestra; conducted by Stefano Barandoni

This is a boldly tempestuous rendition of Psalm 2, which is quite a tempestuous Psalm:

Why do the nations conspire
   and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth rise up
   and the rulers band together
   against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,

“Let us break their chains
   and throw off their shackles.”

Latin text and translation of Psalm 2 

Interestingly enough, it is a part of a larger Christmas Oratorio.

Of course, this should be no mystery; the plight of mankind lost in sin is an essential element of the Incarnation - and should be a part of any musical Christmas narration.  It's also present in Händel's Messiah.  Today, however, we don't tend to expect such in Christmas music.

The King's English: Sackcloth and Ashes

Jonah mosaic at St. Anne Melkite Church

Glen Scrivener writes over at The King's English:

Could Jonah be the most successful evangelist in the Bible?  In Hebrew the report of his sermon consists of 5 words.  And yet, in response, the 120 000 residents of Nineveh cover themselves in sackcloth and ashes and turn to the LORD.

Throughout 2011, Glen Scrivener has been calling our attention to various English language expressions which are largely due to the influence of the 1611 Authorized Version or "King James" Translation.  A delightful project indeed - allowing us not only to contemplate the beauty of the English language, but also important bits of theology and history which have since become obscured by many intervening layers of ideological sediment.  His blog is called The King's English.

This latest blog posting caught my attention in particular because of its appropriateness for the Anglican Communion today.

Fabián Pérez Ximeno (16th C, Mexico): Kyrie from Missa de la Batalla

Ximeno (c1595-1654) was born in Mexico City; known as a composer and organist - maestro de capilla of the Mexico City Cathedral.  He's known for his antiphonal polychoral works.  This is the Kyrie (first movement) if his Missa de la Batalla (battle mass?) performed by Angelicum de Puebla, conducted by Benjamin Juarez Echenique.  Thanks to youtube user hotkikee, who posts some excellent renaissance and baroque sacred music from colonial regions (mostly South and Central America) on his channel.