I hadn't heard this glorious hymn for years until our organist (Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC) played it as our prelude last Sunday. Brought back memories of past Easter seasons. Alleluia!
Just wanted to comment to offset some of the critics: this was the perfect tempo for this hymn in my opinion. I feel it in 2 rather than in 4. Thank you for posting!
I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (April 7, Easter 2), we sang this as our Hymn of the Day. Ditto for me as I played it as the Opening Hymn at a local Lutheran Church that I filled in at. However, it was to the tune, GAUDEAMUS PARITER, composed by Johann Horn, 1490-1547. It is #363 in Evangelical Lutheran Woship.
Hey there, thanks for the comment! Glad you like the videos! The Mass setting was composed by our music director, William Trafka. Under the video marked "Palm Sunday: Eucharistic Prayer", you can hear the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei. And yeah, I think I'm one of those who would prefer hymns to be played faster than slower. When they're played slowly, you might have to take a breath in the middle of a line, and that can be a bit distracting.
This illustrious choir and congregation hardly strains the high notes while they indeed raise worshippers above the clutter of mediocrity. I've savored each the visit to Saint Bartholomew's.
The Sunday 11am Choral Eucharist at St. Bart's generally lasts between 1hr 15min-1hr 30 min, which is comparable to services in other churches. I'm unaware of any physical time-keeping instrument employed to monitor worship length. Other renditions of this hymn I have heard appear to be played at a similar tempo. However, I agree that if it had been played slower, there might not have been need for the improvisation. Thanks for your comment, as I've realized that I've mislabeled this hymn!
Not sure playing it slower would help avoid the improvisation -- and what's the matter with the improvisation anyway? -- because the procession would likely slow down to match the tempo. To tell the truth, I thought the tempo was actually just a tiny bit on the slow side. Draggy hymns are a plague, and heard so often! Nice service!!! Thanks for posting!!!
The Kyrie sounds beautiful... Who composed this Mass setting? As for playing hymns a bit on the fast side, well, some individuals would rather have the hymns a bit fast side as opposed to a rendition that causes the congregation to "drag" the hymns... As a substitute organist, I know that it is hard to please everyone all the time... Thanks for posting this video... I hope to see additional St. Bart's videos soon...
I hadn't heard this glorious hymn for years until our organist (Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Asheville, NC) played it as our prelude last Sunday. Brought back memories of past Easter seasons. Alleluia!
Makes me proud to be a Christian in the Anglican tradition!
I'm also proud too. Anglican till I die
Just wanted to comment to offset some of the critics: this was the perfect tempo for this hymn in my opinion. I feel it in 2 rather than in 4. Thank you for posting!
Wow. Reminds me of my upbringing in the Episcopal church. Thanks for posting! 🙏
Will miss hearing this tonight because of the Coronavirus. A very beautiful Church! Thanks for posting
My third favorite hymn!!
Thanks
Such a pretty hymn.
Thank Sir Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert & Sullivan fame.
I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (April 7, Easter 2), we sang this as our Hymn of the Day. Ditto for me as I played it as the Opening Hymn at a local Lutheran Church that I filled in at. However, it was to the tune, GAUDEAMUS PARITER, composed by Johann Horn, 1490-1547. It is #363 in Evangelical Lutheran Woship.
Not the tune to which we sing this hymn, but wow! St. John of Damascus!
This Sir Arthur Sullivan tune, St. Kevin, is my favorite for this hymn.
Hey there, thanks for the comment! Glad you like the videos! The Mass setting was composed by our music director, William Trafka. Under the video marked "Palm Sunday: Eucharistic Prayer", you can hear the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei.
And yeah, I think I'm one of those who would prefer hymns to be played faster than slower. When they're played slowly, you might have to take a breath in the middle of a line, and that can be a bit distracting.
This illustrious choir and congregation hardly strains the high notes while they indeed raise worshippers above the clutter of mediocrity. I've savored each the visit to Saint Bartholomew's.
In cathedral acoustics, fast is better than slow. The reverb will drag down the tempo even more.
The Sunday 11am Choral Eucharist at St. Bart's generally lasts between 1hr 15min-1hr 30 min, which is comparable to services in other churches. I'm unaware of any physical time-keeping instrument employed to monitor worship length. Other renditions of this hymn I have heard appear to be played at a similar tempo. However, I agree that if it had been played slower, there might not have been need for the improvisation.
Thanks for your comment, as I've realized that I've mislabeled this hymn!
Not sure playing it slower would help avoid the improvisation -- and what's the matter with the improvisation anyway? -- because the procession would likely slow down to match the tempo. To tell the truth, I thought the tempo was actually just a tiny bit on the slow side. Draggy hymns are a plague, and heard so often! Nice service!!! Thanks for posting!!!
ALETHOS ANESTI!
The Kyrie sounds beautiful... Who composed this Mass setting?
As for playing hymns a bit on the fast side, well, some individuals would rather have the hymns a bit fast side as opposed to a rendition that causes the congregation to "drag" the hymns... As a substitute organist, I know that it is hard to please everyone all the time...
Thanks for posting this video... I hope to see additional St. Bart's videos soon...
mortonbelcher
Yes if its not this; its "wrong tune!"
Can you tell me who composed the Kyrie setting? Is it in the 82 hymnal?
Bummer, I was hoping for Gaudeamus Pariter.
Another one .. has to be same organist .. WAY too fast a tempo ... is there a timer on for the service?
Played too fast!!