Music for Second Sunday after Pentecost

As members of the Anglican communion, we are fortunate to draw on a rich and diverse corpus of sacred music, but particularly a repertory native to our own language and faith tradition. Ranging from the Tudor polyphony of the early Anglican Church to new repertory by active composers (as we heard in last week’s Mass setting), this is a corner of the literature I appreciate, having sung it all my life.

We owe a large debt regarding the preservation of this tradition to institutions such as the Royal School of Church Music, founded in 1927 as an institution to promote sacred music, education, and contemporary performers and composers. In 1945, the RSCM moved to a new tenancy in Addington Castle, for which occasion William H. Harris composed the anthem Behold, the tabernacle of God is with man. As church musicians, our ministry is so often tied to one physical gathering place, four walls and roof that encircle our community and are a part of our instrument. Yet, as this anthem’s text reminds us, our spiritual livelihood cannot reside in any single external structure, but rather remains within our hearts as a conduit for the Holy Spirit. Thanks to the efforts of our Anglican communion throughout the world (in large part through institutions such as RSCM), we posess a beautiful and fortified repertory, set of skills, and continuous tradition through which we profess our faith in song.

The organ voluntaries feature music by two of my favourite composers: the prelude by Québecoise virtuoso and composer Rachel Laurin (who passed in 2023), one of the figureheads of Canadian organ culture in the recent past. The final piece is by Marc Enrico Bossi, famous Italian concert organist, teacher, and composer, whose reputation approached that of his contemporary, Guilmant, despite not being known today.

Abraham Ross

Solemn Mass takes place at St. James’ Anglican Church, Vancouver at 10:30 am every Sunday.