Choral Evensong
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CHORAL EVENSONG 5:00 P.M. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2017 THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY CHRIST CHURCH 118 N. Washington St. Alexandria, VA 22314 www.HistoricChristChurch.org CHORAL EVENSONG is the service of Evening Prayer with choral music. It is sung in cathedrals with choral foundations on a more or less daily basis, and in many parish churches around the world. The Prayer Book of 1662 established the pattern for Choral Evensong which remains in common usage throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion. Since the earliest Christian times, the need to mark the passing of time with prayer has been recognized. The monastic cycle of prayer began in the desert with Anthony in the fourth century and continues to this day. By the Reformation, Vespers had become an elaborate musical celebration in the evening. The English Reformation demanded that the vernacular be the language of worship and resulted in the liturgical simplicity of Thomas Cranmer’s services of Morning and Evening Prayer. The provision of music for this structure and these words was the task of men like Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, and Tomkins, whose creativity laid the foundations of Anglican choral worship. Choral Evensong is the quintessence of such worship. The canon of music for Evensong continues to grow, with composers from around the world contributing to it. Unlike the Eucharist, which follows the movement of the Church calendar, and unlike private prayer, which follows the events of our lives, the daily office follows its own rhythm. The readings are done “in course,” and are not specifically chosen to make a particular point, and the canticles (Magnificat and Nunc dimittis) are the same each day. As such, the office provides an objective aspect to our worship and a rhythm to Anglican spirituality as a whole. Dating from the time of the temple in Jerusalem, the choral recitation of psalms remains one of the oldest forms of worship. By listening and following along with the Psalm, we join with the people of God who waited for the coming of the kingdom of God. After the Psalm, the first lesson is read. The choir then sings Magnificat, the song which the Blessed Virgin Mary sang in joyful response to the announcement that she would be the mother of our Lord. In this song, all the hopes of the people of God are recounted and Mary proclaims that, in the Incarnation, God has acted and fulfilled all that he promised. We then hear part of the record of that fulfillment when the second lesson, from the New Testament, is read. Following this reading is Nunc dimittis, the song of the aged Simeon, which acknowledges the salvation of all nations in Christ Jesus. In most liturgies, we, the worshipers, must do two things: speak with our lips, and meditate with our hearts. Choral Evensong is one of the rare occasions when the congregation is able to focus solely on the latter, allowing the prayers and praises being sung by the choir, to be those of the entire faith community, and particularly, of this parish. Please silence all electronic devices. 4:40 Prelude Choral Song and Fugue Samuel Sebastian Wesley Intermezzo Herbert Sumsion Sonata in B-flat, op. 65, no. 4 Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy III. Allegretto IV. Allegro maestoso e vivace Hailed as displaying “rock-solid technique, interpretative flair, and a gift for registering the instrument for maximum tonal effect,” Christopher Jennings brings the music of the pipe organ to a variety of audiences, promoting its role in the classical music scene and beyond. As a teacher, he brings his experience and enthusiasm for marrying healthy playing technique with expressive musicality. In his work with choirs of children, youth and adults of all ages, he engages singers in producing a beautiful, exciting vocal blend with his own passion for choral repertoire from the Tudor period to the present day. A featured artist in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, Christopher has also collaborated with the New York Repertory Orchestra and the Salomé Chamber Orchestra and has performed at such unique venues as the East Texas Organ Festival in Kilgore, TX Cadet Chapel, West Point Military Academy, Methuen Music Hall in Methuen, MA, and Constitution Hall, Washington, DC. He appeared on the television program Jeopardy as a “clue,” playing the famed E.M. Skinner organ at Woolsey Hall. Christopher continues to collaborate with other instrumental and choral ensembles throughout the New York City Metro area and performs duo-organ concerts with Brian Harlow. He has appeared on American Public Media’s Pipedreams and has released several organ solo albums, available on iTunes. Christopher is Director of Music & Organist at St. John on-the-Mountain in Bernardsville, NJ and Assistant Organist at St. Rose of Lima, Short Hills, NJ. He has held positions at St. James’ Church Madison Ave, New York City, St. James’s Church, West Hartford, CT, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stamford, CT, and Trinity Church on-the-Green, New Haven, CT, among others. Christopher holds the Master of Music Degree from Yale University School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music and the Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University. His teachers have included Marilyn Keiser, Martin Jean, and William Porter. He recently completed a certificate in Well-Coordinated Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique at Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC, studying with the world-renowned pianist Barbara Lister-Sink. More information is available at www.christopherjennings.me. -1- Introit Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life: such a way as gives us breath; such a truth as ends all strife; such a life as killeth death. Come, my Light, my Feast my Strength: such a light as shows a feast; such a feast as mends in length; such a strength as makes his guest. Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart: such a joy as none can move; such a love as none can part; such a heart as joys in love. Text: George Herbert (1593-1633) Music: Craig Phillips (b. 1961) Please stand and sing. Hymn 257 O Zion, open wide thy gates Edmonton -2- Opening Sentences Invitatory and Psalter William Bradley Roberts (b. 1947) The Christ Church Responses Officiant: O Lord, open thou our lips. Choir: And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Officiant: O God, make speed to save us. Choir: O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Officiant: Praise ye the Lord. Choir: The Lord’s Name be praised. The People are seated. Psalm 34 Anglican Chant by Thomas Norris 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; * his praise shall ever be in my mouth. 2 I will glory in the LORD; * let the humble hear and rejoice. 3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the LORD; * let us exalt his Name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me * and delivered me out of all my terror. 5 Look upon him and be radiant, * and let not your faces be ashamed. 6 I called in my affliction and the LORD heard me * and saved me from all my troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encompasses those who fear him, * and he will deliver them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; * happy are they who trust in him! 9 Fear the LORD, you that are his saints, * for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, * but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good. 11 Come, children, and listen to me; * I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Who among you loves life * and desires long life to enjoy prosperity? -3- 13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking * and your lips from lying words. 14 Turn from evil and do good; * seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, * and his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, * to root out the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears them * and delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted * and will save those whose spirits are crushed. 19 Many are the troubles of the righteous, * but the LORD will deliver him out of them all. 20 He will keep safe all his bones; * not one of them shall be broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked, * and those who hate the righteous will be punished. 22 The LORD ransoms the life of his servants, * and none will be punished who trust in him. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The First Lesson Isaiah 58:1-9a Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers.