Categories: hymns
Date: 10 May 2006 11:26:53
Herbert Sumsion's arrangement of the Benedictus is on constant play with me: both at home and when I am in the car. An absolutely beautiful arrangement to a beautiful Gospel text (go about two-thirds down the page): at times I think the language of the Book of Common Prayer cannot be bettered.
Unfortunately I can't find a sample online: I would've liked to share a bit with you. And given my musical knowledge is zero I cannot give any technical terms. Nevertheless, if you can suffer my ignorance, three points stand out: the sheer beauty of the arrangement, which is simple yet very beautiful; the increase in strength of organ and voices at And thou, Child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest; and the organ's dramatic playing of three notes between As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be and world without end. Anglican sacred music is a beautiful thing.
The recording I am listening to is on the What Sweeter Music: Music from Advent and Epiphany CD I have from the glorious choir of Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney: they truly do have one of the best choirs in Australia let alone Sydney and, when I get the chance (a rare event), I do like to visit them for Evensong and, less often, a Choral or Sung Mass. Anglican liturgy at its best there -- if not a tad exceedingly correct and perfectionist: but I do love it.
Do any Orthodox, or others in the know, know if the Benedictus is ever used in Orthodox services? Nunc dimittis at Vespers and Magnificat at Matins (as opposed to its place at Vespers in the Western Rites), with the glorious refrain:
More honoured than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, in all purity you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we exalt thee.but I don't recall ever hearing the Benedictus.