I post these playlists weekly with the hope that you might find them useful
as you plan your music lists. All of my playlists are on Spotify for you to
enjoy at your convenience.
GSM – April 9, 2017 https://goo.gl/7OA8uL
Don’t forget that we have more choral and organ music programmed
on Sunday evenings beginning at 10 p.m. eastern.
Rob Kennedy
WCPE The Classical Station
Web: TheClassicalStation.org
Facebook: www.facebook/theclassicalstation
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Michael Teschner: All glory, laud and honor
Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer
Rupert Gough, organ
Paul Mealor: Locus iste
Voces8
Charles Harford Lloyd: Psalm 31, “In thee, O Lord, have I put my
trust”
Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, John Scott
Andrew Lucas, organ
We begin our Palm Sunday program with the quintessential Palm Sunday hymn, “All glory, laud and honor.” The text was written by Theodulf, Bishop of Orléans (c. 820) and translated by J.M. Neale in 1854. The tune was composed by Melchior Teschner (1584-1635) and is known commonly as St. Theodolph. Organists know the tune by its German title “Valet will ich dir geben.” You might want to listen to Anton Bruckner’s setting of “Locus iste”, and then contrast it with Welsh composer Paul Mealor’s version. Both are sublime, different harmonically though they may be. While Psalm 31 is not the psalm appointed for Palm Sunday, its theme of trusting in the Lord seems most appropriate for the day as well as the times in which we live.
Thomas Weelkes: Hosanna to the Son of David
Choir of Truro Cathedral, David Briggs
William Horsley: There is a green hill far away
Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer
Rupert Gough, organ
J.S. Bach: Fantasia super: Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 735
Hans Fagius, organ
1728 Cahman organ at Leufsta Bruk, Sweden
Tudor era composer Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623) was organist of Chichester Cathedral from 1601. English composer William Horsley (1774-1858) was Organist of the Asylum for Female Orphans from 1802-1854. His tune “Horsley” for the text “There is a green hill far away” dates from 1844. Cecil Frances Alexander wrote this much-loved hymn in 1848. It is published in some 568 hymnals. Bach knew Melchior Teschner’s tune well as you will hear in this compact fantasia on the familiar Palm Sunday processional hymn.
Henry Purcell: Hear my prayer, o Lord
Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow
George Frideric Handel: He was despised ~ Messiah
Taverner Players, Andrew Parrott
James Bowman, countertenor
English composer Henry Purcell’s anthem “Hear my prayer, O Lord” dates from 1683, about fourteen years after he succeeded John Blow as Organist of Westminster Abbey. English countertenor James Bowman (1941-) enjoyed a long and varied career singing roles in oratorios and operas as well as performing many solo recitals.
John Sanders: The Reproaches
Choir of Gloucester Cathedral, John Sanders
John Sanders (1933-2003) held the position of Organist of Gloucester Cathedral from 1967-1994.
J.S. Bach: Cantata 182, “Himmelskornig, sei willkommen”
Holland Boys’ Choir; Netherlands Bach Collegium, Pieter Jan Leusink
Ruth Holton, soprano; Sytse Buwalde, alto;
Knut Schoch, tenor; Bas Ramselaar, bass
The German translates as “King of Heaven, be Thou welcome.” This cantata dates from 1714 when Bach was at Weimar. Musicologists tell us that this cantata was performed at least six times. The cantata contains three arias in a row, one each for bass, alto and tenor.
J.S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 546
Daniel Bishop, organ
Willis organ in Liverpool Cathedral
Bach’s grand Prelude and Fugue in C minor has always seemed to me the perfect concluding work for the Palm Sunday liturgies. It captures the
drama of the events of Holy Week as only Bach could. Not many young organists understand how to interpret Bach’s masterworks. But Daniel Bishop does. His mastery of the music and the noble Willis organ in Liverpool Cathedral is superb.
Cypriano de Rore: St. John Passion
Huelgas Ensemble, Paul van Nevel
While famous in his day for his madrigals, the Flemish Renaissance composer Cipriano de Rore (c.1515-1565) also wrote many sacred works including this 2 to 6 voice setting of the St. John Passion dating from 1557.
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