Cardinal Newman / 2-year Anniversary / Modern Sacred Music / Kevin Allen
  • Today is the 2-year Anniversary of the Beatification of Cardinal Newman:

    Rorate Cæli Blog

    Direct URL link

    Visiting those links, one can view a special video with original settings of Newman's poems by Kevin Allen.

    I would like to hear other's thoughts about (what I consider) these inspired, wonderful settings.

    As you can read on the second link, Cardinal Newman's hymns (and those of his fellow Oratorians) have an extremely prominent role in the hymnody of the forthcoming St. Edmund Campion Missal & Hymnal.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJXziYVdbGE
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,481
    Sideways related...
    Newman is why I believe in Purgatory.
    (Sometimes beauty, art, and poetry are better at convincing than anything else.)

    Softly and gently, dearly-ransomed soul,
    In my most loving arms I now enfold thee,
    And, o’er the penal waters, as they roll,
    I poise thee, and I lower thee, and hold thee.

    And carefully I dip thee in the lake,
    And thou, without a sob or a resistance,
    Dost through the flood thy rapid passage take,
    Sinking deep, deeper, into the dim distance.
    Angels, to whom the willing task is given,
    Shall tend, and nurse, and lull thee, as thou liest;
    And Masses on the earth and prayers in heaven,
    Shall aid thee at the Throne of the most Highest.

    Farewell, but not forever! Brother dear,
    Be brave and patient on thy bed of sorrow;
    Swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here,
    And I will come and wake thee on the morrow.
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    JMO, beautiful stuff from Kevin (of course)! How can we get our hands on the music?
  • I think the scores will probably be released sometime after the Campion book — thanks!