I'm reflecting on this Easter Monday about how much gorgeous Renaissance music for Easter is about the women coming to the tomb... like this beautiful piece by Taverner for Easter Day.
Tulerunt Dominum meum
Headed back to Boston with this fantastic Praetorius ringing in my ears!
Victoria Regina caeli
It's not Easter, but I came across this gorgeous "Regina caeli" setting, and can't wait to get more polyphony back in my life!
Regina coeli - Agricola
How about a sublime Regina coeli setting for Easter Monday? I came across this version by Agricola this week and it was the 3 minutes of beauty that my weekend needed!
Lamentations
The service of Tenebrae has been my favorite Holy Week experience since I first experienced it in 2010, though I've never sung any of the exquisite settings of the Lamentations (Dear Universe... *hint*). Check out this awesome video from Early Music Sources about the Lamentations and how Lassus and Cavalieri wrote their settings!
Maria Magdalene
Today I'm reveling in this glorious Guerrero motet (the model for the Lobo mass sung at Church of the Advent on Saturday/Sunday) and remembering that Jesus appeared to the women first.
Handl - Ecce quomodo moritur justus
This gorgeous piece by Jacob Handl often shows up for Good Friday and it's always worth it!
Bach and the mob
The "turba" choruses in Bach's St. John Passion are some of the catchiest and fun to sing - and I think that's exactly what Bach intended. Going along with the mob and being swept up by their energy is easy and fun, until you (hopefully) realize you're calling for someone's death...
AND the anti-semitism in the St. John Passion is NOT OK. It's fine to present this piece, but it needs context. My experience had to do with idea that we all are complicit in the actions of the mob. No anti-semitism, yes to personal responsibility and examining your actions.
Sicut Cervus
Palestrina's setting of "Sicut Cervus" - one of the texts for Holy Saturday - is one of his most well-known pieces, but most performances (including this one) only feature the first half!
Missa Maria Magdalene
It’s Holy Week, which means beautiful music, beautiful liturgy, and exhausted singers. Only 5 more services stand between me and this gorgeous mass next Sunday!