Music at All Souls' Church

Today's the day! Our Ensemble-in-Residence releases A BAROQUE NOEL! A virtual concert (today at 5pm)....just in time for this last bit of Christmastide. For information on how to view the concert, follow the link below.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Day 12)! Here is the Little Door Herbert Howells (1892-1983) The Choir of All Souls' (Section Leaders) Ruben Valenzuela, Director of Music & Organist... Today's final offering in this series features Herbert Howells' exquisite setting of Frances Chesterton's evocative text, 'Here is the Little Door.' 'Here is the Little Door' is one of three gems written between 1918 and 1920 and published as carol-anthems for Stainer & Bell. All three anthems display Howells' wistful and adroit sense of lyricism, with an eye to Elgar and Vaughan Williams, yet unmistakably Howells. The final phrase of 'Here is the Little Door', (Touched by such tiny hands and oh such tiny feet) is filled with a striking sensuality and poignant foreshadowing of the cross. #musicatallsouls #thetwelvedaysofchristmas Here is the little door, lift up the latch, oh lift! We need not wander more but enter with our gift; Our gift of finest gold, Gold that was never bought nor sold; Myrrh to be strewn about His Bed; Incense in clouds about His Head; All for the Child that stirs not in His sleep, But holy slumber holds with ass and sheep. Bend low about His Bed: for each He has a gift; See how His eyes awake, lift up your hands, oh lift! For gold, He gives a keen-edged sword (Defend with it Thy little Lord!) For incense, smoke of battle red, Myrrh for the honoured happy dead; Gifts for His children, terrible and sweet, Touched by such tiny hands and oh such tiny feet. (Words by Frances Chesterton)

https://www.kpbs.org//leader-multiple-arts-organizations-/

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Day 11!) Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How lovely shines the morning star) Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) Ruben Valenzuela, Organ #musicatallsouls #thetwelvedaysofchristmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Day 10!) Magnificat (Canticle of the Blessed Virgin) Solemn Tone (arr. Ruben Valenzuela) The Choir of All Souls' (Section Leaders)... Ruben Valenzuela, Director of Music &. Organist The Blessed Virgin's paean following the announcement that she would conceive and become the mother of the Messiah, Jesus. The Magnificat is one of the most ancient of Marian hymns which takes its text from the Gospel of Luke 1: 46-55. #musicatallsouls #thetwelvedaysofchristmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas (Day 9!) Love came down at Christmas Stephen Sturk (b 1950) The Choir of All Souls' (Section Leaders) Ruben Valenzuela, Director of Music & Organist... Today's music offering features a beautiful setting of Christina Rossetti's nineteenth century poem 'Love came down at Christmas' by San Diego based composer, Stephen Sturk. The carol takes its place among other settings by Harold Darke, Leo Sowerby, and John Rutter. Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine, Love was born at Christmas, Star and Angels gave the sign. Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine, Worship we our Jesus, But wherewith for sacred sign? Love shall be our token, Love be yours and love be mine, Love to God and all men, Love for plea and gift and sign. (Christina Rossetti, 1830-1894) #thetwelvedaysofchristmas #musicatallsouls