What have you heard?

As promised, here is a complete list of organ preludes and postludes from last Advent (2010) through this past week, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. One of the purposes of this organ literature is to highlight the feast or season of each Sunday and feast day liturgy. Often this results in my playing pieces based on plainchant since it is the Church's greatest and most ancient form of praise. On other occasions the music is meant to lend a more festal and triumphant character to the liturgy, especially during the postlude as the priest and other ministers process out of the sanctuary.

Due to the format of the spreadsheet, the list is displayed on its side; you can download and rotate it for better viewing.

Organ Music Advent to CC 2011

Corpus Christi

Organ prelude: Le banquet celeste, Olivier Messiaen

At the Introit: Alleluia, sing to Jesus, Hyfrydol, arr. Hancock

Gloria in excelsis, Mass on G, Calvin Bower

Ps. 147, "O praise the Lord, Jerusalem..." Guimont Psalter

Alleluia, F. O'Carroll

Offertory: At that first eucharist, Unde et memores, arr. Rawsthorne

A Community Mass, Richard Proulx

Communion Hymn: I am the bread of life, Toolan

Communion Solo Anthem (7:00am): Panis angelicus, Franck

Hymn of Thanksgiving: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all, Sweet Sacrament

Organ postlude: Toccata-prelude on Pange Lingua, Edward Bairstow

Looking ahead...

Even as we complete our observance of Pentecost, the feast of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity is upon us next Sunday. In preparation, here is a brilliant recording of French organist and composer Charles Tournemire's works for Trinity Sunday from his massive cycle L'Orgue Mystique. This collection contains organ music for all Sundays of the Church Year and includes many major feasts. If you want to hear some of Tournemire's works performed live, attend Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame and you may be fortunate enough to hear organist Daniel Bayless's marvelous rendition of these works.

Special thanks to Lucy Minichillo, former Director of Music & Organist at St. Vincent's Church, for substituting for me next Sunday as I attend the Sacred Music Colloquium at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. For more information on this conference and its sponsoring organization, The Church Music Association of America, click here.

Spiritus Domini - The Solemnity of Pentecost

Organ Prelude: Chorale Prelude on Veni Creator Spiritus, Ennis Fruhauf

At the Introit: Praise to the Lord, the almighty, Lobe denn herren, arr. Norris

Gloria in excelsis: Mass on G, Calvin Bower

Gradual Psalm: Ps. 104, "Lord, send out your spirit..." Guimont Psalter

Sequence: Veni sancte spiritus, Graduale Romanum

Alleluia: Festival Alleluia, Chepponis

Offertory Hymn: O breathe on me, St. Columba, arr. Rawsthorne

Offertory Solo Anthem: Litany to the Holy Spirit, Peter Hurdford (Vigil, 7:00am)

Communion Hymn: Taste and see, Moore

Communion Chant: Veni creator spiritus (8:30am)

Hymn of Thanksgiving: Come Holy Ghost, Lambillotte

Organ Postlude: Fantasia super Komm, Heiliger Geist, J. S. Bach

Special thanks to the St. Vincent de Paul Choir for another year of service to the Church! Choir rehearsals and choral masses resume in September.

The Ascension of the Lord

Organ prelude: Jesu, nostra redemptio, Flor Peeters

At the introit: Hail the day that sees him rise, Llanfair

Gradual Psalm: Ps. 47, "God mounts his throne..." Guimont Psalter

Offertory: Here I am, Lord, arr. Janet Linker

Communion Hymn: Alleluia, alleluia give thanks, Alleluia No. 1

Communion Motet: Ave verum, D. G. Mason

Hymn of Thanksgiving: A hymn of glory, Lasst uns erfruen, arr. Rawsthorne

Organ postlude: Festival Voluntary, Flor Peeters

Weddings at St. Vincent's

It's wedding season once again! If you are planning a ceremony at St. Vincent's church, take a few moments to examine the wedding music guidelines and print yourself a copy of the planning sheet. Remember that a planning meeting with the Director of Music is required, even if another musician will perform for your wedding.

Wedding Music Policies and Worksheet

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Organ prelude: Victimae paschale laudes, Wilbur Held

At the Introit: At the lamb's high feast we sing, Salzburg

Gradual Psalm: Ps. 66, "Let all the earth cry out..." Guimont Psalter

Offertory: The strife is o'er, Victory

Communion Hymn: I am the bread of life

Communion Chant: Concordi laetitia, plainchant, mode VI

Hymn of Thanksgiving: Be joyful, Mary, Regina Caeli

Organ postlude: Christ ist erstanden, J. K. Fischer