The Music List for our Choral Services through to Easter is now published and available under /music/ and other links.
We are quick off the mark as Candlemass is transferred a day early to Sunday 1st February. Do join us for the final service of the seasons of winter lights, as we bless candles for the coming year and remember the drama of Jesus’s Presentation in the Temple, what Simeon and Anna said about him, and Mary treasured in her heart.
Sunday 1st February – Candlemas – The Presentation of Christ in the Temple. 10.45am. Mass Setting is the lovely Mass in F by Charles Wood (1866-1926).
The Candlemas Anthem “When to the Temple Mary went” by Johannes Eccard (1533–1611) is one of many by foreign composers which were supplied with translations or new words in the 19th century. It was translated from German and given a second verse by Revd J Troutbeck (1833-99) best remembered for his translations for Bach’s Passions and Christmas Oratorio. Eccard’s music is frequently scored for more than four voices; this setting is in six parts. His music is thus rich and sonorous, the inner parts having their own melodic and rhythmic interest.
Singers who enjoy Choral Evensong are welcome to join us on the 1st Sunday of the month to rehearse the music beforehand at 4:45 pm. Sun 1st Feb Evensong and Benediction at 6pm.
The Canticles are Collegium Regale by Herbert Howells and the Anthem is Abendlied by Josef Rheinberger, from Luke 24 v29, “Bide with us, for evening shadows darken, and the day will soon be over.” Music for O salutaris & Tantum Ergo is by Chris Upton.
Between Candlemas and Ash Wednesday, we have just two “gesima” Sundays.
Please make a note of, and support, our monthly Recitals@StMichael’s. This month Friday 13th Feb, at 7.30pm, sees the Frizzante Sopranos, Devon-based classical duo Donna-Marie Hughes & Jane Anderson-Brown with a varied song recital. See music/recitals on the website for full details.
Our neighbours at Exeter Cathedral are celebrating a “Day of Love“ on St Valentine’s, Sat 14th Feb, with a Service for Renewal of Wedding Vows at 2pm, and the chance to book romantic Tower Tours for two throughout the day.
On Shrove Tuesday, 17th February, there is 6pm Vespers & Meditation, 7pm Choir Practice, and 8.30pm Pancakes.
Ash Wednesday, 18th February, is marked with Matins at 9.30am and Low Mass with Imposition of Ashes at 10am, and in the evening at 7.30pm by Sung Mass with Imposition of Ashes.
Setting: Mass for Four Voices by William Byrd and Anthem: Versa est in luctum by Alonso Lobo, My harp is tuned for lamentation, and my flute to the voice of weeping. Spare me, O Lord, for my days are as nothing.
On subsequent Wednesdays in Lent (except 25 March – Annunciation), Stations of the Cross are prayed at 6pm. Plainsong Vespers continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm.
Sunday 22nd February, Lent 1, 10.45am, features the Litany of 1544 sung in procession, Plainsong Sarum Mass and Farrant’s Hide not thou thy face from me O Lord.
Tuesday 24th February at 6pm, in place of Vespers, CBS Mass for St Matthias’ Day with Plainsong Propers and Hymns.
Wednesday 25th February at 7.30pm there will be the next St Michael’s Lecture – speaker and title to be announced soon.
Sunday 1st March, Lent 2, 10.45am, Anglican Folk Mass by Martin Shaw, Anthem O nata lux by Thomas Tallis.
Sunday 1st March, 6pm. Evensong and Benediction will be more penitential, with Tallis Responses & Canticles, Allegri’s sublime Miserere, and Plainsong Benediction Hymns.
HLF Project.
Many thanks to all who have helped in any way with the Organ, Peregrine and Heritage Project over the past 2 years. Our final report should go to the Heritage Lottery Fund this month, to complete the Project. But hopefully the physical, digital and cultural legacy will serve and inspire us for many years to come. The nest box camera should be back online on the Peregrine page of the website at the beginning of March, hoping for egg laying around the Spring equinox.
Richard Barnes.