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Views from the Choir Loft

Two Choral Works and Propers for Lent

Richard J. Clark · January 19, 2018


RJC_NowCHristThouSun NEW CHORAL ANTHEM for Lent, Now Christ, Thou Sun of Righteousness (SATB & Organ) is a setting of Iam, Christe, sol iustitiae traditionally sung at Lauds during Lent. It recognizes the need for repentance and awaits glorious redemption at Easter.

John Dryden’s (1631-1700) beautiful translation is set to lyric, chant-like melodies.

The score is available from The Sacred Music Press, a division of The Lorenz Corporation.

Order • View sample pages: Octavo • “Now Christ, Thou Sun of Righteousness” (for SATB Choir & Organ)

Listen here • Conducted by Max Murphy:


CHRISTE QUI LUX ES ET DIES (Christ, who art the light and day) is based on the ancient Compline Hymn for Lent, likely dating back to the Fourth Century. Although it was not retained in the Roman Breviary, its continued widespread use is perhaps attributed to its antiquity, exquisite poetry, and simple beauty, glorifying Christ as the World’s Light. With this universal theme, Its use may extend beyond Lent.

This setting utilizes two major themes: the opening choral statement and the ancient chant melody, both in naturally progressing keys. The opening theme provides an axis of symmetry, setting verses one, four, and seven, while the chant is the basis of verses two, three, five and six. The Amen recapitulates the chant theme inside a variation of the opening exposition. As such, the Light of Christ is proclaimed both deep within the soul and cried aloud for all.

Available at RJC Cecilia Music

Premiered by the The Seraphim Singers | Jennifer Lester, Director

First Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts | Recorded LIVE: February 7, 2014 at St. Cecilia Church, Boston, Massachusetts

Recording Engineer: Evan Landry

Additionally, you can check out and listen to Communion Antiphons for Lent and Easter here.

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Custom preserves many things in liturgy after their first reason has ceased.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (writing in 1916)

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