There are thousands of musical settings of the 150 poems in the Psalter. Some of them are just a simple refrain of a few notes or an antiphon using the simplest chant without harmony, ranging up to grand elaborate works that stand alone as pinnacles of musical invention. In the latter category, the Psalmi Davidis poenitentiales … Continue reading Psalm 100; singing a new song
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Vespers, 26 Aug 17
Vespers psalm settings by Victoria, Lassus and Rachmaninov have been mentioned several times on this blog - see for example Psalms 103, 104, 112, 116 and 127. Canberra area readers will be interested in an opportunity to hear some of the wonderful Rachmaninov All-Night Vigil ('Vespers') this Saturday. Extracts from the Vespers will be performed in the extraordinary … Continue reading Vespers, 26 Aug 17
SWUC leaders late 2015
For some recommendations on psalm selection (from a few limited sources) during September and October 2015, see the Notes for Leaders page>
The crystal ball
Christmas and New Year celebrations seem ancient history already! Thanks to Dal, Jo, Bette and Brian for Psalm 112, Light rises in darkness last Sunday. The week before, we sang a blessing (in lovely harmony of course) upon our young people as they launch forth upon a new academic year. Relishing those aural memories and a … Continue reading The crystal ball
Update on style
For those interested, this is to advise there is some new material on the Styles page - click here> or at left. 1. It now includes a review of the pattern of activity in Year C, December 2012 to November 2013, based on about 40 weeks of singing the psalms (your cantor was away for a … Continue reading Update on style
Psalm 27, 26 Jan 14
Hang on, what happened to this coming Sunday 19 Jan? A slightly different but interesting worship will be led by Gwenda with some of her typically thoughtful ideas yet to be revealed - that do not include singing a psalm. I take the opportunity to sketch out the next few weeks, Plan B or C … Continue reading Psalm 27, 26 Jan 14
Psalms – a summary <140
The title reference to less than 140 is nothing to do with psalm numbering: it's short tweets. Thanks to Rachel for this fantastic RT from Ben Myers, who is summarising the books of the bible in a few words on Twitter. His take on the psalms: The invention of antiphony: when my heart broke in two, … Continue reading Psalms – a summary <140
Modernised chant
In a previous post I noted that this week we use a John Bell tune to sing Canticle 9 from Isaiah with the children. (The canticles sometimes replace or appear with the psalm set in the lectionary.) Anyone at all is welcome to join us to help us lead the 'Hallelujah for evermore' response. This … Continue reading Modernised chant
Taizé, 6 Oct 13
The service on Sunday 6 October will be after the meditative Taizé tradition. The ecumenical Taizé community is in a village in France, not far from the ancient abbey of Cluny. Here, it's not only the bells at the entrance to grounds that interrupt the meditative silence. Despite the placards inviting arriving worshippers to leave their chatter … Continue reading Taizé, 6 Oct 13
Psalms in the South 