Notes on the

Though he is perhaps best known for his carols and other short pieces, John Rutter also has a number of large-scale works for chorus and orchestra to his name. Most of these received their first performances in the United States, where Rutter is a frequent visitor, writing regularly for American choirs and conducting performances of his own music.

The Requiem, completed in 1985, does not adhere strictly to the conventional Catholic liturgy, but combines texts from the Requiem Mass and the . This is by no means unusual; Faure, Brahms and Durufle all followed their own individual preferences when selecting appropriate verses to set.

The first movement comprises the Requiem Aeternam and Eleison. This is followed by a setting of Psalm 130, ‘Out of the deep have I called unto thee O Lord’ which begins darkly with an unaccompanied cello solo in C minor, later giving way to a more positive C major at the words ‘for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption’. As with the of both Fauré and Duruflé, the Pie Jesu focuses on the soprano soloist, though in this case with the addition of a subdued choral commentary. The and Benedictus are both followed by an exhilarating . In the the Latin text alternates with verses from the Burial Sentences, taken from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. At this point Rutter inserts his superb setting of the 23rd Psalm, notable for its plaintive oboe solo, delicate orchestration and sensitivity to the text. This exquisite and moving piece, though composed some seven years earlier for Mel Olson’s First United Methodist Church Choir in Omaha, was surely destined for this context, encapsulating as it does the work’s message of reassurance. The last movement opens with another verse from the Burial Service, sung by the soprano soloist, which leads seamlessly into the Lux Aeterna, finally returning to the opening Requiem Aeterna theme for the peaceful conclusion.

The Requiem was first performed in its entirety on 13 October 1985 at the United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas, conducted by the composer. Since then it has become a firm favourite with choirs and audiences the world over. Though it necessarily has its dark moments, Rutter’s Requiem is unmistakably optimistic in its message of hope and comfort, expressed through the beauty of the chosen texts and Rutter’s uplifting music. It is not entirely surprising that after the tragic events of 9/11 it was this setting of the Requiem that was the preferred choice of music at the many memorial services which followed across the USA.

John Bawden Reprinted by permission

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Opening Rachel Root

Psalm 103: 1-4; 13-17; 20-22 Karen Koster Burr

John Rutter's Requiem Movement 1 Requiem Aeternam Movement 2 Out of the Deep Movement 3 Pie Jesu Movement 4 Agnus Dei Movement 5 Sanctus Movement 6 The Lord Is My Shepherd Movement 7 Lux Aeterna

Closing Prayer Madeleine Tavares

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Opening Sentences Rachel Root

Psalm 103: 1-4; 13-17; 20-22 Karen Koster Burr

Bless the LORD, O my soul, * and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits.

He forgives all your sins * and heals all your infirmities;

He redeems your life from the grave * and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness; As a father cares for his children, * so does the LORD care for those who fear him.

For he himself knows whereof we are made; * he remembers that we are but dust.

Our days are like the grass; * we flourish like a flower of the field;

When the wind goes over it, it is gone, * and its place shall know it no more.

But the merciful goodness of the LORD endures for ever on those who fear him, * and his righteousness on children's children;

Bless the LORD, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding, * and hearken to the voice of his word.

Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, * you ministers of his who do his will.

Bless the LORD, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; * bless the LORD, O my soul.

Requiem Aeternam

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, et lux perpetua luceat eis. and may light eternal shine upon them. (4 Esdras ii.34-35)

Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion, It is fitting that a should be raised et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem; unto Thee in Zion and a vow paid to Thee in Jerusalem;

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exaudi orationem meam, give ear to my prayer, O Lord, ad te omnis caro veniet. unto Thee all flesh shall come at last.

Kyrie, eleison! Lord, have mercy! Christe, eleison! Christ, have mercy! Kyrie, eleison! Lord, have mercy!

Out of the Deep

Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice. O let thine ears consider well: the voice of my complaint. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss? O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with thee, therefore shalt thou be feared. I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him; in his word is my trust. My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. O Israël trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israël from all his sins. (Psalm cxxx)

Pie Jesus

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem, Blessed Lord Jesus, grant them rest, Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem, Blessed Lord Jesus, grant them rest, Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem sempiternam. Blessed Lord Jesus, grant them eternal rest.

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei, qui tollis pecatta mundi, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, dona eis requiem. grant them rest.

Man that us born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery.

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He cometh up, and is cut down like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, dona eis requiem. grant them rest.

In the midst of life, we are in death;

of whom may we seek for succour?

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, dona eis requiem. grant them rest.

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is My Shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture, and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul, and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me; thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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Lux Aeterna

I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,

for they rest from their labours; even so saith the Sprit.

Lux æterna luceat eis Domine; Let eternal light shine upon them, O Lord; Cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius es. with Thy saints for ever, for art merciful. Requiem æternam dona eis Domine, Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, et lux perpetua luceat eis. and may light perpetual shine on them.

Prayer Madeleine Tavares O God, the King of saints, we praise and glorify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear: for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all your other righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we pray that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer page 504).

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CREDITS

Instrumentalists and Soloists Rachel Root Director of Music Ministry, Organist Claudia Minch Oboist, Pie Jesu Nick Curry Cellist, Out of the Deep Jen Schlechte Soloist, Pie Jesu Samantha Lynch Soloist, The Lord Is My Shepherd Stephanie Bennie Soloist, Lux Aeterna Tim Root Conductor, Rehearsal Tracks

Stay at Home Singers

Gavin Andrews Tenor Joseph Murray Bass Stan Ballenger Tenor Thomas Nightingale Baritone Zee Ballenger Alto Ann Redding Soprano Earl Barker Bass Barbara Roberts Alto Jacquelyn Bates Soprano Mike Roberts Tenor Stephanie Bennie Soprano Tim Root Baritone Bryce Bennie Tenor Jen Schlechte Soprano Sandy Brinson Alto Joseph Smith Baritone Julie Buckley Alto Arden Spies Soprano Karyn Carroll Soprano Bonnie Taffe Alto Vickie Dell Alto Madeleine Tavares Alto Maggie Fitzroy Soprano Emily Thatcher Soprano Kathy Fulmer Soprano Charlene Vincent Soprano Ann Marie Grymes Soprano Ann Wingate Soprano Alice Kirkpatrick Alto Boston Woods Tenor Karen Koster Burr Alto Jane Wytzka Alto Suzie Maltz Soprano Vivien Zink Soprano Dani Moore Soprano

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Production Crew Julie Buckley Producer Daniel Hughes Film Crew Gene O'Neil Film Crew Matthew Moore Audio and Video Producer Matthew Moore Light and Sound Stage/Recording Studio/Set Design Matthew Moore Audio and Video Engineering and Mastering

Special thanks

A huge thank you to Julie Buckley, and Matt Moore for their, love, support, encouragement, hard work, energy, creativity, and passion in putting this together! Thanks also to Gene O’Neil, and Daniel Hughes, for sound needs and preparation for presentation online. Love and thanksgiving to Ann Redding, and Emily Thatcher, (Washington State) and Charlene Vincent for joining us on this wonderful journey.

400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 904-285-6127 ~ christepiscopalchurch.org

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