Let All Mortal Flesh is a translation of a Greek, Eucharistic hymn, based on words from Habakkuk 2:20, “Let all the earth keep silence before him.” This is one of my favorite anthems, an arrangement of this hymn by the English composer, Gustav Holst. Holst’s rise to popularity came from his famous orchestral suite, The […]

Many of you may remember a television show called The Joy of Music. It was hosted by Diane Bish, who was touted as the “First Lady of The Organ.” She hosted a weekly television series, where she would travel the world, performing on historical organs, bedecked in the most ornate statuary, and Baroque filigree. Actually, […]

Today’s service includes a lot of music by Felix Mendelssohn. I hope you love his music as much as I do. He only lived for 38 years. What a shame that he didn’t live longer! Today, you’ll hear one of his most famous compositions, a movement from his oratorio, St. Paul, Op. 36. This piece […]

If the pandemic taught us anything, it is that a localized, real experience cannot be recreated virtually. Being together, in community, has a quality to it that cannot be replicated. This localized phenomenon of place and community, is captured so eloquently in today’s offertory anthem, Locus Iste, by Austrian composer, Anton Bruckner. During a time […]

I love a great tune, a memorable melody. Who doesn’t? Sometimes so-called contemporary music lacks a good, singable melody. It’s hard to say what makes a good melody, a good one. Generally speaking, a good melody is appealing, catchy, and unique. One of the catchiest melodies ever composed was “The Fishin’ Hole,” by Earle Hagen in […]

Frank Bridge’s famous Adagio in E Major is a favorite for many organists. Perhaps you know of some other poignant Adagio’s, like Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, or the lamenting Adagio in G Minor, attributed to Albinoni. These kinds of pieces are elegiac, meaning that they mimic the aesthetics of an elegy, a poem of serious reflection, usually a lament for the […]

I remember the first time I was introduced to Vaughan Williams’ O How Amiable, today’s offertory anthem. It was while I was living and teaching in Oklahoma. I had met my now, longtime friend Kevin, who at the time, was studying at the University of Oklahoma. He needed some musical assistance at Canterbury House, the Episcopal student […]

Hal Hopson, the composer of today’s offertory anthem, is a household name for most church musicians. There was a rumor that Hopson had composed so much music, that he had to start writing under various pseudonyms, because his music had saturated the market! I don’t know if that’s true, but Mr. Hopson is indeed, extremely […]

Today’s offertory is especially planned for Father’s Day. When it comes to finding good music for Father’s Day, there’s so much to choose from, but for Mother’s Day, it’s a totally different ballgame. As I got to thinking about this, I made a note to find a Mother’s Day anthem for next year. I think […]

The French word for lullaby is berceuse, which bears the title of today’s prelude. As you may know, a lullaby is a gentle song, intended to be sung to lull a child to sleep. Composers use this title for dreamy, or peaceful music. The image is very evocative. I think Vierne evokes the image of a doting […]