What music did you do for Ascension, Pentecost?
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,187
    What did you do for Ascension and Pentecost?

    And how did it go?
  • TeresaH
    Posts: 53
    On Saturday evening I was alone so had 3 hymns and I chanted Communion antiphon from SEP.
    Sunday Morning with choir:
    Come Holy Ghost followed by SEP Introit
    Responsorial Psalm from Guimont Lectionary Psalms
    Sequence
    Offertory from SCG followed by Veni Creator Spiritus during incensing
    Communion from SEP
    Holy God We Praise Thy Name for recessional.

    The priest chanted from the sign of the cross at the beginning to the Easter dismissal aleluia.

    We got lots of wonderful comments about the beauty and reverence of the Mass. People in the pews felt a difference in the atmosphere.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    From our Sunday morning EF on Pentecost with Fr. Zuhlsdorf

    Prelude: 26. Phrygian Prelude, Flor Peeter's 60 Short Pieces
    Processional: Shortened version of BVW 571
    Mass I
    Credo I
    Full Gregorian propers from the liber (Spiritus Domini)
    Magnificat, chanted to tone VIII, following the communion chant
    Marian antiphon: Regina Caeli (simple tone)
    Recessional and postlude: Veni Creator Spiritus (accompanied, with interludes between some verses and improvisation after)

    I also improvised throughout the Mass on various chants and sacred themes. Overall, a fairly simple Mass, musically, but lovely all the same.
  • expeditus1
    Posts: 483
    Pentecost Solemn High Mass:

    Organ Prelude
    Prelude chant "Jam Christus Astra Ascenderat"
    Processional: Cantate Domino (Pitoni)
    Vidi Aquam
    Propers (Men)
    Mass for Three Voices (Byrd)
    Sequence
    Offertory: Veni Creator Spiritus chant, followed by Kreckel's organ version
    Communion:
    -Confirma Hoc Deus (Aichinger)
    -Ave Maria (Rachmaninoff) It was also the feast of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces.
    -Emitte Spiritum Tuum (Schuetky)
    -Divine Amor
    Te Deum Laudamus chant (solemn tone) sung after the Last Gospel
    Recessional: Come, Holy Ghost
    Organ postlude: Ode to Thanksgiving

    The choir really stepped up and delivered a one-two punch. It was a fantastic day. There was plenty of opportunity during the Solemn High Mass to use some improvisational pieces. I always have to leave my custom signature blooper on everything I do though, and this day was no different. I had every pre-set tab loaded up and ready to rip for the postlude, and when it came time for the last verse of the Te Deum chant, I forgot that my chant setting was no longer on the old pre-set, so when I hit that button, there was a roar from the heavens and that is how the whole verse was sung. My childhood music teacher, a nun, told me that if I was going to make a mistake, then make it look like you meant to make it, and I did just that. Big and bold, loud and proud.
  • For Pentecost I chanted the Sequence in Latin, even though the organist kept telling me to do English, or the Beethoven. The people seemed to be in awe, so I'd call it success. At first there was some noises, like oh he's doing this in Latin, and sifting through of the missalettes to find the sequence.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Chorally, we opted for Schaller's ASCENDIT DEUS, it's simply joyous. That was our last rehearsal, but we also prepared for Pentecost with David Hurd's amazingly understated but meticulous COME NOW, HOLY PARACLETE. We didn't have rehearsal the week prior, but we kept it very in tact for the Sunday. If you don't know it, give it a listen/look.
  • Saint Edward, Newark, CA
    Ascension Day: (EF) Gregorian Proper from the Graduale, Palestrina mass, "Ascendit Deus" of Palestrina, "Psallite Domino" of Byrd, "Regina caeli" a 4 of Palestrina. Ascension Sunday: (OF) Full proper from Graduale, chanted lessons & Gospel, Mass I, "Ascendit Deus" of Palestrina, "Ascendit Deus" of Peter Philips after Communio, Palestrina "Regina caeli" a 4 for the retiring procession.

    Pentecost: OF: Full Gregorian Proper, Mass I with Credo I, chanted lessons & Gospel, "Confirma hoc" a 5 of Palestrina, "Factus est repente" of Aichinger after Communio, Palestrina "Regina caeli" a 4 for the retiring procession.
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,794
    St. David of Wales, Richmond CA (not terribly far from Newark!)

    My update of Schubert's Deutsche Messe with communio & offertory from the American Gradual, except at the choral mass with Peter Phillips Ascendit Deus and Gallus Stetit Jesus in the Offertory slots. For Pentecost the 6/4 Engels arr. of the sequence "Holy Spirit, Lord Divine" with congregation, who also sing the post-Comm. Regina coeli in Latin followed by English.
    Thanked by 2melofluent CHGiffen
  • Simon
    Posts: 156
    The Pentecost mass in our church (St. Nicholas Basilica, Amsterdam) was televised live and available via Eurovision in much of Europe and even northern Africa. The whole service had to be compressed into 55 minutes (usual service length is about an hour and 15 minutes). The intercessions were spoken out in 7 different languages, including Arabic. The music selected:

    Introit - First 4 verses of the hymn Veni creator (Gregorian chant) with concluding doxology verse melody by Thomas Tallis;
    Gloria and Agnus Dei by Hans Leo Hassler (Missa Octo Vocum);
    Offertorium: Loquebantur variis linguis (Tallis)
    Communio: Whitsunday Hymn (R. Vaughan Williams)
    Responses to the readings were in Dutch using local melodies and adapted chant melodies. The Credo is based on a Russian melody and transcribed by our music director.

    The whole service can be viewed here: http://www.uitzendinggemist.nl/afleveringen/1423686 and starts with a 2-3 minute advertisement of Amsterdam.

    The service went well under the circumstances. We tried to avoid an element of haste often dictated by such time constraint. Ended up about a minute behind schedule so the recession wasn't televised.

  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,189
    Ascension:

    A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
    Mass of St. Francis for Ordinary
    Propers from the SEP
    "O Clap Your Hands"- John Rutter. One heck of a fun piece to play and sing.
    Thanked by 2melofluent CHGiffen
  • donr
    Posts: 971
    Ascension:
    Entrance Antiphon "Men of Galilee" - LCM
    Entrance Hymn "Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise"
    Offertory Antiphon "God Goes Up with Shouts of Joy" - LCM
    Offertory Hymn "Go Make of All Disciples"
    Communion Antiphon "Behold, I Am With You Always" - LCM
    Communion Hymn "Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise"
    Meditation "Regina Caeli"
    Recessional Hymn "Lord You Give the Great Commission"

    Pentecost:
    Entrance Antiphon "The Spirit of the Lord has filled the Whole World" - LCM
    Entrance Hymn "Send Us Your Spirit"
    Offertory Antiphon "Confirm, O God" - LCM
    Offertory Hymn "Come, O Holy Ghost"
    Communion Antiphon "They Were All Filled with the Holy Spirit" - LCM
    Communion Hymn "Veni Sancte Spiritus"
    Meditation "Regina Caeli"
    Recessional Hymn "Come, O Holy Spirit"
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,973
    Ascension:
    Entrance: Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise (Llanfair)
    Psalm: from the WLP missalette
    Offertory: An anthem based on "Thaxted"
    ICEL Chant Ordinary
    Rice communion chants
    Communion: A hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (Lasst Uns Efreuen)
    Recessional: Go to the World (Sine Nomine)
    Postlude: Agincourt Hymn arr. E. Power Biggs

    Pentecost:
    Entrance: Come Holy Ghost (Lambillote)
    Psalm: from the WLP missalette
    Sequence: From CC Watershed with Fr. Weber's accompaniment
    Offertory: Tenor flu destroyed any chance of an anthem. We sang the hymn, Come
    Down, O Love Divine (Down Ampney)
    ICEL Chant Ordinary
    Rice communion chants
    Communion: Creator Spiritus - English version
    Recessional: Fire of God, Undying Flame (Nun Komm...)
    Postlude: Christ is Erstanden by J.K.F. Fischer
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen Steve Q
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    Offertory: An anthem based on "Thaxted"


    Just curious if it was by anyone we know...
    Thanked by 1bkenney27
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,973
    Probably not, unless you are familiar with Protestant composers in Southern churches. It was "Sov'reign Lord, Creator Righteous One" arranged by Mary McDonald, whose stuff I normally wouldn't touch. This was actually pretty good and followed the Holst theme pretty closely.

    The anthem we were not able to do Pentecost was, "With a Voice of Singing" by Martin Shaw. I am rescheduling it for Peter & Paul Sunday.
  • bkenney27bkenney27
    Posts: 444
    SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
    St. John the Baptist Parish, Peabody

    9AM - Parish Mass with School / 7PM - Parish Mass with Choir
    PROCESSIONAL: Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise (Llanfair)
    KYRIE: Mass XVI
    GLORIA: (7PM) Heritage Mass
    PSALMODY: God mount His throne... (Alstott)
    ACCLAMATION: O filii et filiae
    OFFERTORY: (9AM) Alleluia No. 1 | (7PM) Do Not Stand and Stare in Wonder (Thaxted, Text: Adam Wood)
    ORDINARY: (9AM) Heritage Mass | (7PM) ICEL Chant/Mass XVIII
    COMMUNION: (9AM) We Remember | (7PM) All power has been given to me... (Plainsong New; A. Motyka)
    POSTCOMMUNION: Regina caeli (English)
    RECESSIONAL: Go Make of All Disciples (ELLACOMBE)



    THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST
    St. John the Baptist Parish, Peabody

    All Masses:
    PROCESSIONAL: Come, Holy Ghost (LAMBILLOTTE)
    KYRIE: Mass XVI or Plainsong with Invocations
    GLORIA: Heritage Mass
    PSALMODY: Respond and Acclaim
    SEQUENCE: Come, O Holy Spirit, Come (Chant)
    ACCLAMATION: O filii et filiae
    OFFERTORY: Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)
    ORDINARY: Heritage Mass
    COMMUNION: Send Us Your Spirit (Schutte - My weekly dose of penance.)
    POSTCOMMUNION: Regina Caeli (English - Chant)
    RECESSIONAL: Ye Sons and Daughters (O Filii et Filiae)
    POSTLUDE: Toccata in E minor (Pachelbel)

    Chanted Sign of the Cross, Greeting, Kyrie, Presidential Orations, Preface, Dialogues, Pater Noster, Embolism, Response to the Embolism, Final Blessing, and Solemn Dismissal with Double Alleluia! More of the Mass was sung than spoken! Closest thing to a Missa Cantata we have ever come! The readings, creed, and EP were spoken.

    Baptisms:
    PROCESSIONAL: Come, Holy Ghost (LAMBILLOTTE)
    PSALMODY: Psalm 27 - Alstott
    ACCLAMATION: Gregorian Chant, Mode VI
    LITANY: Chant
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood CHGiffen
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    Ascension:

    Processional: Hail the Day (LLANFAIR).
    Kyrie/Gloria: mumbled.
    Alleluia: mode vi simplex.
    Offertory: Otrzycie juz.
    Sanctus/Agnus: XVIII
    Communion ant.: This is my body (SEP) (NB no psalm)
    Communion Hymn : Baddzze Pozdrowiona
    Recessional: Do not stand and stare (THAXTED: text: Adam Wood)

    Pentecost:

    Processional: Come, Holy Ghost (WINCHESTER NEW - FYI pips raised the roof - Full Organ)
    Kyrie/Gloria: mumbled
    Alleluia: mode vi simplex
    Offertory: Czesc Maryji
    Sanctus/Agnus: XVIII
    Communion ant: You have given the bread from heaven (SEP) (NB no psalm)
    Communion Hymn I: Come down, O Love divine (DOWN AMPNEY)
    Communion Hymn II: Jezusa ukrytego
    Recessional: Parish Antiphon, Maryjo Krolowo Polski

    [In re a previous discussion: the pastorally mandated use of a vernacular language that less than 1% of the parish know for at LEAST two hymns (plus the mandated weekly 'parish antiphon') couldn't be pushing people ($$) away. Of course not... Sorry, do I seem bitter? Moja wina.]
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood CHGiffen
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,698
    Ascension
    Trumpet Tune, Lasky
    Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise LLANFAIR
    Viri Galiaéi or LCM Entrance
    I Saw Water (ICEL)
    Gloria VIII
    LCM Psalm
    Mode VIII Alleluia
    LCM Offertory
    Sanctus / Agnus Dei VIII
    Fr. Kelly Communion
    This is the Feast of Victory
    Tantum Ergo, Peeters
    Go to the World SINE NOMINE
    Improvisation on SINE NOMINE

    Pentecost
    Veni Creator, Corrette
    Come Holy Ghost LAMBILLOTTE
    LCM Entrance
    I Saw Water (ICEL)
    Gloria VIII
    LCM Psalm
    Sequence Mode I, Latin
    Mode II Alleluia
    LCM Offertory
    Sanctus / Agnus Dei VIII
    LCM Communion
    Veni Creator Mode VIII / Veni Creator, Ravenello / Amen, Giffin
    Spirit Divine, Inspire our Prayer GRAFENBERG
    Iste Confessor, Corrette
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • hartleymartin
    Posts: 1,447
    For Ascension:

    Hail the Day that sees him rise.
    Praise to the Lord the Almighty.
    Alleluia, Sing to Jesus.
    Help of Christians Guards this Land (Marian Recessionals during May)

    For Pentecost:

    Holy God we Praise Thy Name.
    Holy Spirit Come Confirm Us
    O Breathe on Me O Breath of God
    No recessional, but Prelude and Fugue in A minor from Ariadne Musica by JKF Fischer.

    Both selections generally well-recieved. Being winter here in Australia, congregations seem to like having a postlude instead of recessionals at the evening masses so they can get to their warm homes quicker!
  • No one did Vaughan Williams' 'O clap your hands'?
    Nor any of several 'God has gone up with a merry noises'?
    Thanked by 1Gavin
  • kevinfkevinf
    Posts: 1,189
    I love the Vaughan-Williams but the Rutter was within my choir's ability.
    Thanked by 1canadash
  • fcbfcb
    Posts: 338
    I wanted to draw people's attention to the Our Father in the video linked above by Simon (at 45:40), which has a melody that seems to be based on the Exultet. I thought this was an interesting idea to keep the spirit of the Vigil alive throughout Easter season.
  • Just curious, does anyone program the V. Williams hymn "Hail Thee, Festival Day" with Pentecost verses? Or has this hymn never caught on in Catholic parishes?

    As an organist, I admit to the tactile pleasure the setting offers -particularly the pedal lines. It's fun to play.
    Thanked by 1rich_enough
  • BruceL
    Posts: 1,072
    MJO: we did RVW last year, but I am currently without an assistant, so no dice.

    RN: I don't think it's RVW's best hymn...I feel it's a little campy, but people do sing it well.

    I always enjoyed doing Finzi "God is gone up": provided you've got enough people and they're rhythmically secure, it's not hard to do.
  • soarmarcsoarmarc
    Posts: 42
    Ascension

    Entrance: A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (LASST UNS ERFREUEN)
    Kyrie: Missa de Angelis
    Gloria: Mass of Wisdom (S. Janco)
    Responsorial Psalm: LCM (adapted to Canadian lectionary)
    Alleluia: Mode VI
    Offertory: Go Make of All Disciples (ELLACOMBE)
    Sanctus: Mass of Wisdom
    Agnus Dei: Mass of Wisdom
    Communion Antiphon: "Behold, I am with you always..." (LCM)
    Communion Hymn: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (HYFRYDOL)
    Recessional: Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise (LLANFAIR)

    Pentecost

    Entrance: Come Holy Ghost (LAMBILLOTTE)
    Kyrie: Missa de Angelis
    Gloria: Mass of Wisdom (S. Janco)
    Responsorial Psalm: LCM (adapted to Canadian lectionary)
    Alleluia: Mode VI
    Offertory Hymn: O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God (ST. COLUMBA)
    Offertory Antiphon: "Confirm, O God..." (LCM)
    Sanctus: Mass of Wisdom
    Agnus Dei: Mass of Wisdom
    Communion Antiphon: "Suddenly, coming from heaven..." (LCM)
    Communion Hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus (chant)
    Post-Communion: Regina Caeli (chant)
    Recessional: God, Whose Purpose is to Kindle (HYMN TO JOY)

    The Pentecost Sequence was omitted at the command of my pastor. I chose to let this one slide since I have bigger battles to fight.

    I am generally pleased with the progress I have made with my choir. We have been singing chant for less than 4 months now, but have managed to introduce both the Communion and Offertory propers.
    Thanked by 1expeditus1
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    Recessional: God, Whose Purpose is to Kindle (HYMN TO JOY)
    The Pentecost Sequence was omitted at the command of my pastor.


    If you didn't know, a suggestion for next year:
    Not that it counts as a SEQUENCE, but Caswall's metrical translation fits the tune HYMN TO JOY, and would be a better option (in my opinion, of course) than a text which seems to tell God what His purpose is. (I've always found it rather inscrutable, myself.)

    Also, you would have no reason not to use the original Caswall text, as opposed to that weird thing they print in Lectionaries.
  • GavinGavin
    Posts: 2,799
    No one did Vaughan Williams' 'O clap your hands'?


    Does this count?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhhIZscEE_g
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,794
    Sorry, which Caswall translation fits AN DIE FREUDE? This one is 777.777; CPDL's in Peculiar Meter has an extremely dubious connection to the credited translator.

    Btw, the Steve Reich is in the repertory of at least one nearby Unitarian choir. On long drives I like to work it out as a solo using both index fingers; if trying this for the first time beware of crossed eyes.

    Using singing versions other than "that weird thing they print in Lectionaries" of course seems perfectly defensible to me: I don't think God really insists on "thankFUL saCRIFices"
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    Sorry, which Caswall translation fits AN DIE FREUDE?

    http://cdn.ocp.org/shared/pdf/preview/22113z4.pdf

    Yes, that's the lectionary's updated text.
    Yes, you have to add two 'refrain' lines of "Come O Holy Spirit Come" to make it 7777D
    No I don't think this is a good way to sing the Sequence.
    No I don't think its the best hymn tune for this text even when singing it as a hymn rather than a sequence.
    Thanked by 1Richard Mix
  • Unda_Maris
    Posts: 53
    Although I sing in an Episcopal church choir, for Ascension we sang "I Will Not Leave You Comfortless" and "Sing Ye To the Lord" -- both by Everett Titcomb. For Pentecost our anthem was "Come Holy Ghost, Draw Us Near" - Leo Sowerby. But in my choral days at St. Paul's, Cambridge, MA under Dr. Marier, we frequently sang "I Will Not Leave You...." for feast of the Ascension.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen barreltone
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,187
    for Ascension we sang "I Will Not Leave You Comfortless" and "Sing Ye To the Lord" -- both by Everett Titcomb.
    Two of my favorite works by Titcomb (along with "Christ, Our Passover" as a close third). His use of the Veni, Creator Spiritus chant in the "I will not leave you" is hauntingly beautiful and powerful.
    Thanked by 2barreltone BruceL
  • jefe
    Posts: 200
    During June/2014, our Compline Choirs presented the ancient office on all five Sundays(1, 8, 15, 22, 29). The reasoning was so many church festival days landed on Sunday that month.
    VOCES ANGELORUM, our all-women Compline Choir chanted on June 1st, The Sunday after The Ascension:
    Orison/processional: The Tallis Canon with Thomas Ken text, "All praise to thee, my God, this night," arr. for SSA with handbells (the only accompaniment we used all month)
    Hymn: Aeterne Rex altissime, plainsong, Mode I
    Psalms: 134 and 4, Peter Hallock (1924-2014) arranged for SSAA
    Nunc dimittis: Canticum Simeonis, 7th tone from the Catholic Choir Book, 1920
    Anthem: The Lord ascendeth upon high (Ach Herr, du allershockster Gott) for SA
    Anthem: A hymn of glory let us sing, Deo Gracias, English ballad melody, Trinity College MS. 15th c. text by The Venerable Bede (673-735), arranged for SAT
    *************
    THE TRINITY COMPLINE CHOIR, The Sunday of Pentecost, June 8th:
    11 men, 1 woman (who sings tenor); 4 of the men are counter tenors:
    Processional: The Tallis Canon with Thomas Ken text, "All praise to thee, my God, this night," arr. for ATTB.
    Hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus, plainsong, Mode 8, 9th c. Gregorian
    Psalm 104: 25-32, 35-37, Peter Hallock (1924-2014) ATTB, what a great setting!
    Nunc dimittis w/antiphons: Charles Wood, ATB
    Anthem: Veni Creator Spiritus, Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) a TTBB piece transposed up a step for use with our altos (counter tenors) to ATTB. A major work for men's chorus.
    ************
    ILLUMINARE, Trinity Sunday, June 15th: our only SATB quartet, 1 female, 3 males.
    Orison: The Tallis Canon with Thomas Ken text, "All praise to thee, my God, this night,"
    Hymn: O Lux beata Trinitas Medieval Organum for ATB.
    Psalm 29: Aferte Domino, Peter Hallock AATB
    Nunc dimittis with antiphons by Bill Bertolas: Charles Wood AATB
    Anthem: De Sanctissima Trinitate, Heinrich Isaac (c. 1450-1517) SATB.
    **************
    RENAISSANCE MAN, Sunday, June 22nd in the octave of Corpus Christi:
    Four men, AATB:
    Orison: "All praise to thee, my God, this night", tune by Moravian composer Michael Weisse (1480-1531) in my own setting, ATTB.
    Compline Hymn: Te lucis ante terminum by Kevin Siegfried (b. 1969)
    Psalm 103: Benedic, anima mea, in my own setting, ATTB.
    Nunc dimittis, tone IV-4 Gregorian chant
    Anthem: Tu solus qui facis mirabilia, Josquin Desprez (c.1450-1521), my own arrangement for AATB.
    *************
    THE THOMAS-ROSE SINGERS, Sunday, June 29th, the saint days of St. Peter and St. Paul.
    Six baritone/basses and one alto chant the ancient office.
    Orison: Psalm 134 in a medieval, 2-part setting
    Hymn: Compline II by Langguth/Reynolds in a 2-part setting
    Psalm 130, in a unison, modern chant tone by Peter Hallock.
    Nunc dimittis: Mode VII Gregorian Chant
    Anthem: Ubi Caritas in a Medieval, 2-part setting.


    Thanked by 2CHGiffen expeditus1