English: Ascension of Christ
Ascension of Christ by Garofalo, 1476-1559 (Image via Wikipedia)

Acts 1:11; Psalm 47:5; Psalm 103:19 [Latin]

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Viri Galilaei / Ascendit Deus (1569, Liber primus motettorum) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525/6-1594)


Performed by La Chapelle Royale

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John Stainer memorial
The John Stainer Memorial at St. Paul’s Cathedral, by Henry Pegram.

Isaiah 6:1-4

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

[plus additional text from an 11th-century Latin hymn]

I saw the Lord (1858), an anthem by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901).

Stainer’s memorial in Saint Paul’s Cathedral is shown at right. As artist Henry A. Pegram described his “inadequate” work:

The upper part of the Panel contains the subject of Stainer’s anthem “I saw the Lord.” The prophet Isaiah, with outstretched arms, kneels near an altar, from the smoke of which arises the vision — Christ enthroned and encircled by Seraphim.

I saw the Lord - Stainer

Performed by The Sixteen


Performed by the Parish Choir of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Soloists: Gabriela Pascale Schunn, treble; Mary Pat Luley, alto; James Ranson, tenor; Joseph Tuttle, baritone. Guest Organist: Joseph Nolan of St George’s Cathedral, Perth, Australia. Choirmaster: Peter J. Luley.

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MP3: I saw the Lord, by John Stainer / The Choir of the Abbey School / British Church Composer Series / Priory Records

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I Saw the Lord. (SSAATTBB and Organ). By John Stainer (1840-1901). Music Sales America. Romantic, Sacred, Sacred, Choral. 18 pages. Published by Novello & Co Ltd.

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English: King David, second king of Israel

2 Samuel 23:3-4

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

The Last words of David, first performed August 12, 1949, composed by Randall Thompson (1899-1984)

Last Words of David by Randall Thompson

Performers unknown

Augustana Choir - The Last Words of David

Performed by the Augustana College choir (Rock Island, Illinois) in Davenport, Iowa

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MP3: The Last Words of David, Randall Thompson / Augustana College Choir / Augustana Records

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The Last Words of David by Randall Thompson (1899-1984). For SATB Choir, Piano or Orchestra or Band. Choral, general. Octavo. Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:3-4. 12 pages. Published by E.C. Schirmer Publishing

 

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English: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, portrait...
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, portrait by Edward Magnus 1846 (Image via Wikipedia)

Psalm 55:1-7

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

Music text, paraphrased by William Bartholomew (1793-1867)

Hear my prayer, O God, incline Thine ear!
Thyself from my petition do not hide!
Take heed to me! Hear how in prayer I mourn to Thee!
Without Thee all is dark, I have no guide.

The enemy shouteth, The godless come fast!
Iniquity, hatred upon me they cast!
The wicked oppress me, Ah, where shall I fly?
Perplexed and bewildered, O God, hear my cry!

My heart is sorely pained within my breast,
My soul with deathly terror is oppressed,
Trembling and fearfulness upon me fall,
With horror overhelmed, Lord, hear me call!

O for the wings of a dove!
Far away would I rove!
In the wilderness build me a nest,
And remain there for ever at rest.

Hear my prayer/O for the wings of a dove, composed in 1844 by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-1847) and first performed in Crosby Hall, London, on January 8, 1845.

Hear My Prayer (O for the wings of a dove)

Performed by the Schola Cantorum of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at Choral Evensong on 20 March 2011. Soprano soloist Sara Botkin. Alastair Stout, organ; Peter Luley, conductor.

George Bartle (boy treble) sings Hear My Prayer with noise reduction June 1992

Performed by the Choir of Ely Cathedral, soloist George Bartle

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Hear My Prayer. (Soprano Solo, SATB and Organ). By Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn (1809-1847). For Choral, Soprano, Organ Accompaniment (SATB, Organ). Music Sales America. Romantic, Choral. 24 pages. Novello & Co Ltd. #NOV291599. Published by Novello & Co Ltd.

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