I don't think this video was on YouTube in December 2005, so it makes another appearance on Sinden.org today (the link I posted then is now broken).
This is a great clip, but you can also consider it my commentary on how to see La Trinité, Paris now that Olivier Messiaen no longer plays the organ there. A simple drive by the place will suffice.
Labels: churches
On the front page of the Arts section of today's New York Times is an article about the sudden departure of the director of music and organist at Trinity, Wall Street: "Director of Music at Trinity Steps Down".
Owen Burdick's departure is rather abrupt, leaving the Trinity choir and Rebel Baroque Orchestra leaderless for their upcoming Monteverdi Vespers performance at the end of the month.
In the Times article, Linda Hanick, vice president of communications at Trinity is quoted as saying "We’re going to be looking at how we’ll restructure the music program."
Churches of Trinity's caliber don't often use the word "restructure" in regard to the music program; usually, they just want to keep it going. But Hanick is blunt: she doesn't say the church will be looking at if or when they'll restructure the music program. Those two questions are implicitly answered in her statement. Yes to restructuring, and now! This led the staff of Sinden.org to speculate that some forces in the church are eager to depart from the professional chamber choir model.
So how will the Trinity program be "restructured"? Perhaps the Trinity Choristers, currently under the direction of Rob Ridgell, will have a more prominent role in the music of the church. Or perhaps their will be an increased focus on liturgical music rather than afternoon concerts.
There is also speculation about what this may mean for the organ in the church, which is a Marshall & Ogletree digital prototype dubbed a "virtual organ". Last summer Burdick wrote an "Open Letter to the Organ Community" in defense of the instrument.
Labels: church music, churches, organists, organs
Don't miss the BBC's broadcast of Choral Evensong from St. Thomas Church in New York City. (Hurry, because it will be replaced by another broadcast on Sunday.)
Take particular note of the new, rather nice, rather lengthy introit by Tavener.
While listening to this, I was disappointed that music lists are not archived at St. Thomas's website and I cannot see what they sang for Christmas.
Churches in Ireland are ringing their bells at 2:00 p.m. on the Global Day of Action on Climate Change.
Is there any reason U.S. churches aren't picking up on this?
Do U.S. churches even have bells?
And why 2:00? Is that the Irish noon?
Labels: churches, environmental stewardship
The Hindu reports that the organ in St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore is playing again.
Fortunately the now electrified organ is "easier on the hands of the player".
I found this draft of a liturgy stuck in my Presbyterian Hymnal Companion. It's dated September 22, 2002 (the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time).
It's like my very own predestined time capsule!
The names of the innocent have been removed. The definite article has not.
THE WELCOME
THE CHIMES
THE PRELUDE
THE PREPARATION
Welcome! The prophet Isaiah reminds us that "those who
wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up
with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall
walk and not faint" (40:31). Let us claim that wonderful promise
as we present ourselves humble before God.
...IN PRAISE AND CONFESSION...
THE CHRIST CANDLE**
THE PROCESSIONAL
* HYMN NO.492 Bunessan
"BAPTIZED IN WATER"
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come to the fountain of life.
All: Come to the streams of mercy.
One: Come, dip in the reservoir of forgiveness,
All: Immerse yourself in the waters of healing.
One: Come, be renewed by the eternal springs.,
All: Be filled with overflowing blessing.
One: Come, walk beside still waters,
All: Be empowered by the rivers of justice.
One: Come, all you yearning for meaning,
hoping for truth, thirsting for God.
All: Here, find your thirst quenched and your joy expanded.
* THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE CHORAL INTERLUDE
THE PRAYER CONFESSION
Loving Jesus, strong Shepherd, your love for us reaches
from the cradle to the grave. there is no place or time or
situation in which we are cut off from your care.
Remind us of that love whenever we doubt our own worth,
forget our blessing in baptism or act out of fear or anger. Forgive
us for finding life boring or predictable, filled with routine and
sameness when you have placed us in a garden. Turn our world
upside down occasionally and surprise us with grace and joy.
Keep us forever amazed at your love. You restore our souls and
lead us to the house of love. Amen.
THE ASSURANCE OF GOD'S PARDON
Leader: Jesus gave the most extravagant gift of all -- the
offering of himself for us. Through this selfless gift, we
are set free, and our sins are forgiven.
People: Thanks be to God!
THE BAPTISMAL HYMN NO. 498 Kingdom
"Child of Blessing, Child of Promise"
Sacrament of Baptism
...LISTENING FOR GOD'S WORD...
THE ANTHEM
THE TIME WITH THE YOUNG CHURCH
THE READINGS OF SCRIPTURE Matthew 20:1-11
Pew Bible New Testament Pg. 21-22
THE GLORIA PATRI
THE MESSAGE
"The First& the Last"
...OUR RESPONSE TO GOD'S WORD...
HYMN NO. 338 African Melody
"Kum ba Yah"
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Prayers
Lord's Prayer Pg. 16 (Traditional)
Choral Response
THE PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
THE OFFERTORY
* THE DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Generous God, thank you for the gifts you bestow upon us
daily. Make us aware of each blessing that comes our way -- and
create in us the constant desire to be blessings for others. Bless
what we bring before you, we pray. Amen.
HYMN No. 525 Isaiah 6-9
"Here I Am Lord"
* THE BENEDICTION
*THE CHORAL RESPONSE
THE POSTLUDE
................................
* PLEASE STAND IF ABLE...........THANK YOU
**The Christ Candle is brought in at the beginning of the service
symbolizing the light of Christ that we seek to be illuminated by during
the service. The Christ Candle is taken out at the end of the service
symbolizing the light of Christ that we are able to take with us out into
the world.
.....................................
Earlier today, Scott encounters Apostles Church (New York NY) with a free, seemingly heaven-sent granola bar.
For a minute on the subway, I was afraid my Judaism would cause the granola bar to react to my stomach like holy water to a vampire, but I took my chances. No heartburn yet.According to their obnoxiously-designed website, Apostles Church NYC believes in proclaiming Jesus, assimilating believers like in Star Trek, developing leaders, renewing the city, and planting churches, which is my favorite part. I imagine little sapling churches springing up in Central Park trying like hell heaven to sprout a few buds before the athiest [sic] lawnmowers plow them into oblivion, laughing maniacally.
The Body of Christ: Now with Chocolate Chips! from in the what?
Labels: Advertising, churches
An organ graces the cover of the New York Times today, which is probably a rare event.
When was the last time this happened? Anyone?
The Times's photo caption is a bit cryptic, but I believe the instrument in question is located in Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Selma, Alabama.
I am currently researching the specifics of this instrument.
Brown Chapel and the Civil Rights Movement
Photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. and others singing in Brown Chapel. The organ appears to be in place in this 1965 photo.
This week at work, I learned about the solemn procession.
I have to admit, this was not something I was aware of, but they exist -- and yes, they are more solemn than just walking in from the back. And no, you don't walk twice as slow.
So, rather than just processing in from the back, you actually begin the procession from the altar.
The liturgical customary of Church of the Advent (Boston) confirms this liturgical act in their notes on their solemn procession.
To help you picture the procession, they enter from the liturgical north side, which, as you are facing the altar, is to the left. (N.B. If you don't have a door on the north side, you shouldn't try to enter that way.) Then they head to the altar.
Before the procession itself, they do a bit of censing here at the altar, and then they "bid the procession", which isn't actually that uncommon. Most parishes bid the procession at least once a year: Palm Sunday.
Deacon Let us go forth in peace.
People In the name of Christ. Amen.BCP, 271
Just a note here, the deacon says "us", which is not a clerical "us" the way I read it. It's a liturgical us. Whether or not your feet are moving, the procession marks everyone's journey to a place "before the presence of God".
Now, let's assume that you have two sections of seating with a center aisle. And frankly, who wouldn't? This arrangement is so hot right now. Let's also assume that you're still facing the altar. And frankly, why wouldn't you be? Looking back into the narthex is really frowned upon, especially by Nigerian bishops.
Assuming the above, the solemn procession snakes from the altar
- up the center aisle
- left at the back
- down the left aisle
- right across the entire front
- up the right aisle
- left at the back
- down the center aisle
These descriptions always sound dumb. I tried taking out the cardinal directions, and still doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Really, it's just a series of right hand turns. Here's a map:
In Anglican parlance, this is known as a pretzel.
Yes, we borrowed that term from the Lutherans.
No, you can't get a free sample like you do at the mall.
Congratulations to the Rev. Ryan Taylor-Byers who was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament on Sunday evening.
Rev. Ryan is now accepting a call to work as a pastor at First Congregational Church, Colorado Springs.
He will be missed in the Midwest.
Good luck and Godspeed, Ryan!
Keeping in touch: Ryan and I talked a little bit about keeping in touch before he left. Another way of doing this has surfaced, and now I am really looking forward to listening to Ryan's sermons online.
Affiliates: It occurs to me that I know people at a lot of different and fascinating religious institutions around the country. Look for a list of "affiliates" on the sidebar in the coming weeks.
Labels: churches
There's a great little article in today's tomorrow's New York Times about a series of recitals at St. Thomas Church in New York. John Scott will perform the complete organ works of Dieterich Buxtehude over the next few Saturdays.
The reason? This year, as those of us who check up on anniversaries already know, marks the 300th anniversary of the death of Dieterich Buxtehude.
The instrument at St. Thomas is a great one: a Taylor and Boody. A Taylor and Boody in the back of an Episcopal church? What an interesting idea! I wonder who did this first?
The article quotes organists James David Christie and John Scott (organist), who is best not to be confused with John Scott (cricketer).
Mr. Christie is also playing the Buxtehude cycle on a Taylor and Boody: his instrument at the College of the Holy Cross. But that's not enough for the fanatical JDC. He is simultaneously giving the cycle on an organ at Harvard.
It's great to see Buxtehude's organ music written up in the Times like this. It's great to see it performed, especially by wonderful musicians on wonderful musical instruments.
The conclusion of the article bodes particularly well for inhabitants of the largest city in the country:
New York has long had a good supply of fine organs. Now with the additions of recent decades and with a good supply of enterprising organists, it promises to become an organ capital worth a listener’s journey, if not necessarily on foot.Oestreich, James R. "Organ Fanfare for Buxtehude. Who?" NY Times 18 January 2006.
Labels: Buxtehude, churches, James David Christie, John Scott, organ
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