10am Mass Preparation of the Gifts “Deus, Tu Convertens” - G. P. da Palestrina (1525 – 1594)

This motet from the composer’s “Offertoria” collection of 1593 sets the Offertory Proper for this second Sunday of Advent. The text from Psalm 84 captures the essence of the joyful anticipation which characterizes Advent for us. It begins: “You will turn to us, O Lord, and restore our life again, and your people will rejoice in you." The work begins with a bright motive utilizing a descending fifth in a minor key, whose text, ‘You will turn to us, O God, and restore our life again,’ is passed through the five voices before concluding the section in the relative major. The second part of the piece paints a quieter and partially homophonic texture before a completely unified choral exclamation of the words ‘Show us, Lord, your mercy.’ Afterwards, the piece alternates between gentle polyphony and declarative homophony before concluding on a triumphal authentic cadence for the text ‘grant us your Salvation.’

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11:30am Mass Preparation of the Gifts, “And the Glory of the Lord” - George Frederic Handel (1685 – 1759)

This exuberant anthem is from Handel’s most famous oratorio, Messiah (1742). It is the first choral anthem of the oratorio, and appears in the first scene, relaying the text of the prophet Isaiah. The movement is built on three brief text motives, which are presented and then intertwined. The movement is in triple meter which facilitates the textual accents creates a joyous quality within the movement. Before becoming a British citizen, Handel was born in Halle, Saxony, (Germany) and was strongly influence by German polyphonic composition and Italian opera. He emigrated to England in 1712, where he settled in Londo, and became a British citizen in 1727.

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10am Mass Post-Communion Motet, “Jerusalem Surge” - Giovanni Battista Martini (1706 – 1784)

Martini was a music historian, theorist, composer, and Franciscan priest who was born in Bologna, Italy. In 1725, he became Chapel Master for San Francesco, Bologna, and later opened a school in the city where he attracted students such as J. C. Bach, C. Gluck, and W. A. Mozart. There is a strong influence of Fuxian counterpoint in his music, as well as more homophonic classical styles. The text “Jerusalem Surge” is the Communion Proper for the second Sunday of Advent and is taken from the Book of Baruch. It speaks of Jerusalem rising from its captivity and its joyful anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.

11:30am Mass Post-Communion, “E’en so, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” – Paul Manz (1919-2009)

Paul Manz was a renowned Lutheran composer, organist, and teacher. This Advent motet is one of his most celebrated and beloved compositions. The words are from Revelation 22, adapted by Paul’s wife, Ruth. The piece has a gentle character that builds to a declamation of Christ’s coming to earth. The textual versatility of the work make it useful through a variety of liturgical frames, such as Advent, latter Sundays of Ordinary time, and even at times of petition and lament, as it was sung by family and friends on the composer’s deathbed. To hear a version, click below:

To hear a version, click below: