MusicNotes June 9-10 and Farewell for the Summer, Choir Members

MusicNotes

Corpus Christi, June 9-10

Anthem- Ave Verum Corpus (K 618), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

The Saint Mary Choir will sing this well-known composition during the offertory at 10:30, accompanied by the string quartet and Karen Hiller at the organ. This piece, from 1791, near the end of Mozart's life, was composed for the feast of Corpus Christi at a church in Baden, near Vienna. The original instrumentation was for strings and organ, so we will get a more authentic taste of this piece on Sunday. In addition, the choir will also be using a Germanic-Latin pronunciation that is closer to what Mozart himself would have heard from choirs at the time. The text is a 14^th-century poem, attributed to Pope Innocent III, Pope Innocent IV, or Pope Innocent VI, that glorifies the holy, true body of Christ. This is one of the most beautiful pieces in choral literature, and it invites us into prayer as we honor Christ's body. The translation of the text is as follows:

Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary,

who having truly suffered, was sacrificed on the cross for mankind,

whose pierced side flowed with water and blood:

May it be for us a foretaste [of the Heavenly banquet]

in the trial of death.

[Oh sweet Jesus, Oh pious Jesus, Oh Jesus, son of Mary,

have mercy on me. Amen.]

Communion- Da Pacem Domine, Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)

 At the beginning of communion, the string quartet will present a beautiful piece by Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt. This peaceful prayer was written for choir or four-part soloists in 2004 and revised for string quartet in 2006. I chose this piece to help set a calm tone for the beginning of the communion procession, the tone set by the exchange of peace that takes place before the fraction anthem. The slowly evolving harmonies create a sense of peace to reflect the nature of the text, a votive antiphon for peace, taken from the book of Sirach 36:18. It can also be used as an introit for Pentecost. Although Pärt's music has a modern and minimalist color to it, he employs several medieval musical techniques, including the cantus firmus, the faux-bourdon, organum and the hocket.

Communion Meditation-    Ave verum corpus, Chant, Mode VI,

Ave verum corpus, Josquin des Prez (1450/55-1521)

 Following the Communion procession, a trio, featuring choir members and cantors, Nancy Trujillo and Bobbie Whaling, will present two very different versions of the Ave Verum from the baptismal font in the back of the church. The first version is a lovely Gregorian chant, one of the most haunting chants I have ever known, which can be found on page 730 of the Worship hymnal. This chant will lead into the second version, which is based on this chant, composed by Josquin. This Renaissance work sounds much starker to the ear than the Mozart setting, but it explores a texture that we do not get to hear very often on Sunday mornings in America. It begins with a duet between the soprano and alto, highlighting the text, Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary. The baritone enters as the remaining text is explored, with the chant melody, or cantus firmus, always present in the alto line. Josquin was regarded as the greatest composer of his time, and his music did a great deal to shape the development of Western-European Renaissance music, from his cantus firmus masses to motets and chansons.

Hymns used for Corpus Christi-

For this great feast of the church, I have chosen some traditional hymns that are often sung for this feast, communion processions, or for Eucharistic Adoration. Although we will sing them in English, the opening and closing songs are Latin hymns, the Tantum Ergo and the Pange Lingua. We sang the latter during Holy Week, while we made the procession to transfer the Eucharist after the Holy Thursday liturgy. These hymns are meant to help focus our minds and spirits on the body and blood of Christ, on our union with Christ, through experiencing Him among us in the Eucharist.

String Quartet-

We are blessed to have a quartet this morning, made up of local musicians and members of the Tulsa Symphony. Welcome them to Saint Mary!

       

Paulo Eskitch, Violin I

Liza Villarreal, Violin II

Phillip Wachowski, Viola

Ashley Allison, Cello  

 Note-

This is the last Sunday for the Saint Mary Choir to sing at Mass before they take a break for the summer. Please take a moment to thank a choir member for all his or her hard work, dedication and time spent to make the music ministry at St. Mary what it is. This choir family is integral in our worship and ministry life at this parish, and its stewardship is well-appreciated. 

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Will Buthod

Director of Music

Church of St. Mary

(918) 749 2561, ext 120

1347 E. 49th Pl.

Tulsa, OK 74105

wbuthod@churchofsaintmary.com