Programme

Colin Spinks came across the idea for this concert in a bookshop skimming through a collection of T.S. Eliot poems. He was struck by how Eliot’s 1930 Poem “Ash Wednesday” references so many familiar liturgical texts, all of which have been set to music countless times.

William Byrd (1540-1623)
Emendemus in Melius
Emendemus in melius
Quae ignoranter peccavimus,
Ne subito praeoccupati die mortis
Quaeramus spatium poenitentiae
Et invenire non possumus.
Attende, Domine, et miserere,
Quia peccavimus tibi. Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster,
Et propter honorem nominis tui
Libera nos.

Antiphon for Imposition of Ashes
“…pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death”

Anton Bruckner (1824-96)
Ave Maria
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

“…This is the land. We have our inheritance”

Thomas Tallis (1505-85)
In ieiunio et fletu
In jejunio et fletu orabant sacerdotes:
Parce, Domine, parce populo tuo, et ne des hereditatem tuam in perditionem.
Inter vestibulum et altare plorabant sacerdotes, dicentes: Parce populo tuo.

Matin Responsary 1st Sunday of Lent
“…Lord I am not worthy, but speak the word only”

Colin Spinks (1976-)
Agnus Dei (from Missa Ubi Caritas)
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

“… and after this our exile”

Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
Salve Regina
Salve Regina, Mater Misericordiae,
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, Salve!
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii [H]evae,
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes,
In hac lacrimarum valle.
Eja ergo, Advocata nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, Nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende, O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Votive Antiphon, Blessed Virgin Mary
“…O my people”

John Sanders (1933-2003)
The Reproaches
O my people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!
I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom, but you led your Saviour to the cross.
O my people…
Holy is God! Holy and strong! Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.
For forty years I led you safely through the desert. I fed you with manna from heaven, and brought you to a land of plenty; but you led your Saviour to the cross.
Holy is God! …
What more could I have done for you? I planted you as my fairest vine, but you yielded only bitterness: when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink, and you pierced your Saviour’s side with a lance.
Holy is God! …

I opened the sea before you, but you opened my side with a spear.
I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud, but you led me to Pilate’s court.
O my people…
I bore you up with manna in the desert, but you struck me down and scourged me.
I gave you saving water from the rock, but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
O my people…
I gave you a royal sceptre, but you gave me a crown of thorns.
I raised you to the height of majesty, but you have raised me high on a cross.
O my people…

“… and let my cry come unto thee”

Henry Purcell (1659-95)
Hear my prayer O Lord
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my crying come unto thee.

Psalm 102.1

“… and let my cry come unto thee”

William Byrd
Civitas Sancti tui
Civitas sancti tui facta est deserta.
Sion deserta facta est,
Jerusalem desolata est.