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Views from the Choir Loft

The Chapel Royal Solemn Vespers is Available on BBC

Andrew Leung · April 1, 2016

CTL Chapel Royal Vespers BOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, the first Catholic liturgies in 450 years was held in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. The choral Vespers according to the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite was celebrated by Vincent Cardinal Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, on February 9. Even though February 9 is not a Marian feast day, the Vespers was dedicated to our Blessed Mother. Over 300 people attended the service.

The music was provided by one of the best choirs in the world, the Sixteen, directed by Harry Christophers. The liturgy was celebrated mainly in Latin (You would think that an ecumenical service with the Anglican Church must be in English, but no! It was in Latin except for the homily, the intercessions and collects.) and the Psalms were chanted with organ accompaniment. The recording of the service is now available on BBC’s Choral Evensong until the end of April.

I am filled with joy to see the Roman Catholic Church and Church of England being united together through music and prayer. There is one interesting thing I noticed about the music selection: Taverner, Cornysh and Tallis are all early English composers who were living during Henry VIII’s reign. The music was truly beautiful, angelic and uplifting! Here is what the cardinal and a few other participants of the choral Vespers have to say about the service and the music:



Let us continue to pray, especially through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of the Church, for the unity of Christ’s body.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3). I'm not a fan of chant in octaves, but we had such limited time to rehearse, it seemed the best choice. After all, everyone should have an opportunity to learn “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium,” which summarizes Candlemas.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To me it is a most inspiring reflection that, while empires and kingdoms have tumbled down, while language and custom of every kind have changed beyond recognition, still day by day the humblest Catholic priest in the remotest mission stands at his altar dressed in the garb of old Rome.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (8 February 1912)

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