Music for All Saints’ Sunday

In November of 1888, Stanford wrote to his publisher in London to propose the idea of setting introits form the Catholic missal; psalm paraphrases one might seldom hear outside of the proper chant’s appointed day in the liturgical year. He found them to be “admirably suitable and always lyrical (not didactic) in character,” foreshadowing his expressive setting of three selected texts, one of which we sing as the communion motet today.

Often heard on the Feast Days of Saints, the text Stanford set is actually a paraphrase of the appointed psalm: “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.” As we celebrate All Saints and remember all the individuals celebrated and remembered in our tradition for their faith and acts of service, Beati quorum via provides a sentimental reflection of the ways in which the saints have followed along the pathways of earthly existence – rather than placing them above blame or lawfulness, this musical setting maintains a very human emotion, ending in a peaceful yet inevitable cadence on the text “lege Domini.”

Today’s Missa Brevis accounts for one of very few sacred works written by Lennox Berkeley, a British composer who spent most of his urban career writing chamber music and songs. In his early life, he had the good fortune to present his work to Maurice Ravel, who immediately recommended that he study in Paris with Nadia Boulanger, a prestigious and exacting professor whose private studio in her own home produced three generations of Europe’s greatest composers. The mass setting heard today dates from 1960 (late in Berkeley’s life) and exhibits his skill for musical clarity and concision; four beautiful movements that bear their own individual characters while also referencing one another in motivic and formal structure.

Abraham Ross

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