Art, Music, Poetry, and Essays for Lent
On This Page
You will find contributtions from the following (click on the links):
- Paul Grimwood
- Gareth Inkster
- Deborah Bowen
- John Bowen
From Paul Grimwood
Paul is sharing a beautiful piece of music selected daily during this time of isolation.
Lux Aeterna
Lux aeterna", by Edward Elgar (1857-1934). This is an arrangement for voices (not by Elgar himself), of "Nimrod" from the "Enigma Variations". Sung here by Voces8
Lux aeterna luceat eis Domine cum sanctis tuis in aeternum: quia pius es. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat eis. Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum quia pius es. May light perpetual shine upon them, O Lord, with Thy saints forever, for Thou art merciful. Lord, grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. With Thy saints forever, for Thou art merciful.
God So Love the World
"God so loved the world", from The Crucifixion by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901). Stainer was the organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, and, later, at ST Paul's Cathedral. This beautiful little piece is sung by the choir of Guildford Cathedral, under the direction of Barry Rose. Although it was recorded in 1968, I haven't found one more beautiful than this.
"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved". (St John 3: 16-17)
Ave Maria
The beautiful "Ave Maria" by Anton Bruckner, sung by the choir of Bath Abbey, and directed by Paul's friend, Huw Williams.
The Lord is My Shepherd
"The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23), set as Anglican chant by Charles Hylton Stewart (1884-1932). He was organist at Rochester, Chester, and for two months only at St George's Chapel Windsor, where he died. Here it is sung by the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge, conducted by George Guest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ndTbfSPHis
"The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
Turn Thy Face From My Sins
"Turn Thy face from my sins", by Thomas Attwood (1765-1838). He was organist of St Paul's Cathedral and remembered now for a few small anthems. This lovely rendering is sung by the choir of St John's College, Cambridge.
"Turn Thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me". (Ps. 51, 9-11)
Lord, for Thy Tender Mercy's Sake
One of my favourites is this little anthem by John Hilton, "Lord, for thy tender mercy's sake", sung by Westminster Abbey choir.
"Lord, for Thy tender mercy’s sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives; to decline from sin, and incline to virtue, that we may walk in a perfect heart before Thee now and evermore. Amen."
Salvator Mundi
Thomas Tallis "Salvator mundi", sung by the superb choir of Westminster Cathedral.
Salvator mundi, salva nos, qui per crucem et sanguinem redemisti nos, auxiliare nobis, te deprecamur, Deus noster. | O Saviour of the world, save us, who by thy cross and blood hast redeemed us, help us, we pray thee, O Lord our God.
Fair is the Heaven
The second of William Harris's amazing double choir anthems. "Fair is the heaven". If this is your favourite, that's understandable. Superbly sung by King's College.
"Fair is the heaven where happy souls have place in full enjoyment of felicity; whence they do still behold the glorious face of the Divine, Eternal Majesty. Yet far more fair be those bright Cherubins which all with golden wings are overdight, and those eternal burning Seraphins, which from their faces dart out fiery light; yet fairer than they both, and much more bright, be the Angels and Archangels which attend on God's own person without rest or end. These then, in fair each other far excelling, as to the Highest they approach more near. Yet is that Highest far beyond all telling, fairer than all the rest which there appear, though all their beauties joined together were: how then can mortal tongue hope to express the image of such endless perfectness? (Edmund Spenser, from An Hymne of Heavenly Beautie)
Bring Us, O Lord
The first of William Harris's sublime double chorus anthems: "Bring us, O Lord" Which is your favourite? Hard to decide, but for me, it's likely this one. Superbly sung by Voces8.
"Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening, into the house and gate of heaven; to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings but one equal eternity in the habitation of Thy glory and dominion, world without end, Amen."
Paul Grimwood is the Organist and Choirmaster at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist.
From Gareth Inkster
Here is a recording of Gareth doing a few favourite songs for Lent and this season of isolation. May they be an encouragement to those who listen.
Gareth shares some of his own work.
The first is from a very fun collaboration with the band Walk Off the Earth doing "20 Beatles Songs in 4 Minutes". The second original song, "Misfire."
Gareth Inkster is the Director of Music for Discovery Service at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist.
From Deborah Bowen
Deborah Bowen shares this resource for the season of Lent from Image: Art, Faith, Mystery, a journal that she has found helpful.
Deborah Bowen is one of our churchwardens and a recently retired (?) professor of English Literature at Redeemer Univeristy College in Ancaster.
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