This service of choral meditations on the passion offers an opportunity to encounter music for Passiontide that is set among old testament prophecies and gospel readings, to offer a clear context for meditation. You will hear music and scripture that touches your soul, and prepares you to celebrate the sacred mystery of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. 

 

The service opens with Frank Ferko's setting of a Byzantine Vespers text,  Motet for Passion Sunday  (extract quoted above). Edward Bairstow's setting of The  Lamentations  calls  Jerusalem (and us in our own day) to repent and return to the Lord.  The renaissance motet Tristis est Anima Mea of Orlande de Lassus describes Christ's sorrowful anticipation of his passion at Gethsemane, while Leo Nestor's tender setting of the 19th century American hymn, Saw Ye My Savior, brings his agony on the cross into vivid focus.  The exquisite 8-part Crucifixus by Antonio Lotti is followed by  Harold Friedell's  Jesus, So Lowly , a work that reminds us of God's purpose and what the passion of Christ teaches us.