10m Mass, “Missa O Quam Gloriosum” - Tomás Luis de Victoria (ca. 1548-1611

“Missa O Quam Gloriosum” is a full mass setting, including all five parts of the ordinary of the mass. The music for each of the five movements is based on a cantus firmus, or melody line. Victoria takes the melody from the motet, “O Quam Gloriosum” and uses it to create the harmonic structure for each movement of the mass. The text of the original cantus firmus is “O how glorious is the kingdom in which all the saints rejoice with Christ, clad in robes of white they follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”

To hear a version, click below:

Preparation of the Gifts 10am Mass, “O Rex Gloriae” - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525 –1594)

This motet is taken from the composer’s collection "Motecta festorum totius anni cum Communi Sanctorum," which was published in Venice in 1564. The texts for these motets were taken from the antiphons of the common of the saints in the Divine Office. The piece is built upon the double imitation of motives through the four voices. The text of the motet was traditionally ascribed as the Magnificat antiphon for second vespers on the Feast of the Ascension: “O King of glory, Lord of all power, Who ascended to heaven on this day triumphant over all; Do not leave us as orphans, But send us the Father’s promise, The spirit of truth. Alleluia.” This text makes clear references to the Ascension themes and scriptures, but also has clear resonance with today’s feast, when we contemplate the magnificence of Christ’s Kingship.

To hear the Schola Cantorum rehearse this work, click below:

Preparation of the Gifts 11:30am Mass, “Let all the World in Every Corner Sing”- R. V. Williams (1872-1958)

This piece is the fifth of the Five Mystical Songs by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, and was written between 1906 and 1911. The work is for soloist, choir, and orchestra/organ and sets five poems by the metaphysical poet, George Herbert, the most famous of the set being “The Call”, now found in numerous hymnals. While all the movements of the work sing the praise of the Resurrection, the final "Antiphon" is the only one that does not feature the soloist, perhaps following the desire of the text that the entire world proclaim Jesus as “God and King.”

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Communion Motet 10am & 11:30am Masses, “O Quam Gloriosum est Regnum” - Tomás Luis de Victoria (ca. 1548-1611)

This motet takes its text from the Book of Revelation, and was traditionally assigned as the Magnificat antiphon for vespers on the solemnity of All Saints. The motet was so popular in its lifetime, that Spanish Renaissance composer Victoria wrote an entire 'imitation Mass' ("Missa O Quam Gloriosum") based on its motives. The text “O how glorious is the kingdom in which all the saints rejoice with Christ, clad in robes of white they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. To hear a version, click below: