Music for Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Today represents a wonderful opportunity to incorporate into our worship the work of Srinath Covilakam, our resident composition scholar. Having committed to this position in August of this year, I conferred with him on a schedule for the year: major works in the fall and spring semesters, and many pslam tones, hymn arrangements, and smaller settings in between. Little did I know; in addition to these commissions, Sri had already completed an extra setting of the Salve Regina for the High Mass Choir, which we will hear played and sung for the first time ever during communion today.

For me, Sri’s compositional voice is grounded on a profound spiritual standpoint, one that invokes creative tools such as quotations of plainchant, low drones in the organ, highly intentional treatment text, and harmonic interest. The resulting music can be described as equally grounding and engaging; remaining true to the meaning of the text.

In the Salve Regina, all the text is sung more or less homophonically – at the same time by all voices. The unmistakable clarity of this pronouncement carries tinges of mysticism at moments when several voices pull apart into unusual intervals, such as on the text “and Jesus, fruit of your womb, show him unto us after this exile.” By contrast, the organ accompaniment speaks in dialogue, imitating an ostinato introduced in the opening measures between the two hands; an ostinato that beautifully accompanies the plainchant melody of the Salve heard at the choir’s first entrance.

As a long-time community member and singer at St. James’, we are so grateful to introduce Sri in this new capacity, where he is able to pour his skills as a trained composer into our musical offerings. Sri expresses the following message of gratitude.

– Abraham Ross

Dear St. James’ Community,

I am writing to you as a music student. I joined the St. James’ choir a few years ago. Ever since my first rehearsal, I have felt so at home at St. James’. I am humbled by the commitment and the skills of our musicians, and I am deeply moved by the support I have received here, and continue to receive, to grow and develop as a musician.

With this new role entrusted to me, I recognize that I am given this incredible opportunity to write for a wonderful Choir and an amazing Organist, allowing me to participate in a sacred compositional tradition that spans across centuries! The time I have spent at St. James’ so far has been quite influential in my artistic practice as well as in my personal life.

I am incredibly thankful to all of you, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the musical life of the Parish!

-Sri

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