The Christ Church Canticles

$55.00 $85.00

SATB Divisi With Organ

The Christ Church Canticles are grounded in the intersection of the ancient and the present. On one hand, we have ancient texts, which are quite literally pivotal moments in the Bible. The Magnificat (the Song of Mary) is the beginning of the New Covenant, which is why in evensong it bridges the old and new testament lessons. And the Nunc dimittis (the Song of Simeon) serves as a parting in many contexts - for Simeon, he was parting from Jesus in the temple and looking forward to the parting of this world for the next. For us, and for nearly 2 millennia, the text has served as a symbolic parting from the sun’s light and the rebirth that sleep will grant us into a new day, which is, of course, itself symbolic of the hope of Christian resurrection.

On the other hand, we have the new which is the aesthetic of our modern ears and our modern ideas of contemplation and prayer. Musically speaking, the organ ostinati - that is repeated musical figures - which underpin the entire composition combine with smooth choral phrases and a sparse, modal harmonic structure bringing together elements impressionism, film score, and minimalism. I hope this creates a sense of being alone in a vast cathedral lit by the golden light of dusk. The piece is littered with canon and imitation which sometimes confuse both meter and line, evoking the mysteriousness of shadows that ebb and flow as the day's light turns to dark. And finally, a partial quote of the ancient chant “tonus peregrinus” in the Gloria is paired with cascading scales that give a sense of something forgotten but recognizable and the sweetness of something old and familiar.

This setting is written to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Christ Church, Raleigh.

SATB Divisi With Organ

The Christ Church Canticles are grounded in the intersection of the ancient and the present. On one hand, we have ancient texts, which are quite literally pivotal moments in the Bible. The Magnificat (the Song of Mary) is the beginning of the New Covenant, which is why in evensong it bridges the old and new testament lessons. And the Nunc dimittis (the Song of Simeon) serves as a parting in many contexts - for Simeon, he was parting from Jesus in the temple and looking forward to the parting of this world for the next. For us, and for nearly 2 millennia, the text has served as a symbolic parting from the sun’s light and the rebirth that sleep will grant us into a new day, which is, of course, itself symbolic of the hope of Christian resurrection.

On the other hand, we have the new which is the aesthetic of our modern ears and our modern ideas of contemplation and prayer. Musically speaking, the organ ostinati - that is repeated musical figures - which underpin the entire composition combine with smooth choral phrases and a sparse, modal harmonic structure bringing together elements impressionism, film score, and minimalism. I hope this creates a sense of being alone in a vast cathedral lit by the golden light of dusk. The piece is littered with canon and imitation which sometimes confuse both meter and line, evoking the mysteriousness of shadows that ebb and flow as the day's light turns to dark. And finally, a partial quote of the ancient chant “tonus peregrinus” in the Gloria is paired with cascading scales that give a sense of something forgotten but recognizable and the sweetness of something old and familiar.

This setting is written to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Christ Church, Raleigh.

The Christ Church Canticles were premiered at Christ Church, Raleigh, on June 12th and repeated at St. Thomas 5th Ave, NYC, on June 19, 2022. They can be heard here as part of the live stream of choral evensong & benediction. The Magnificat starts at 27:22, and the Nunc dimittis at 34:55.

Enjoy a live recording with score of the Magnificat sung by the Choir of Christ Church, Raleigh, at St. Thomas 5th Ave, NYC, on June 19, 2022.

Enjoy a live recording of the Nunc dimittis sung by the Choirs of Christ Church, Raleigh, at St. Thomas 5th Ave, NYC, on June 19, 2022.