We will hear several notable pieces this Sunday at Christ Church Cathedral. Firstly, we will hear the Psalm-Prelude II by Herbert Howells (1892-1983) before the service. Howells was an English Romantic composer even though he certainly lived into the modern period. In past times and still today, Howells has been the target for extensive criticism from some organists due to his lush and orchestral style of composition. Howells was a composer who really did compose outside of his time period. In the mid to late 20th century, the organ world was dominated by two major ideals: Modernism and the "Organ Reform Movement". The organ reformers sought to focus on music from the Baroque period and before. Thus, they built organs and composed music that was of a pure, austere, and Neo-Baroque character. Modernists, exemplified by composers such as Jean Langlais (1907-1991) and Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) were seen as the heirs of the Romantic period, but they expanded the musical language of that era to include "atonality" and what are generally regarded to be dissonant harmonies. We will discuss these composers again in the future! Howells wrote music that was quite undervalued by many simply because his music did not truly embrace either aforementioned school of thought. Rather, most of Howells' music hearkens back to a time of lush orchestral colors and edgy yet solidly Romantic harmonies.  Howells wrote his two sets of Psalm-Preludes in 1915-16. These pieces are of a wonderful and very Anglican beauty. The one we will hear this Sunday is based upon Psalm 37:11, " But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Howells sets the spirit of this text beautifully in what has become a classic in Anglican churches the world over, especially in American and England.

We have two lovely pieces from our choir this week. Our choir will present a beautiful piece by Mikhail Mikhailovich Ippolitov-Ivanov (1859-1935) during the offertory. This piece, sung a cappella (unaccompanied), is a classic work from the Russian church repertoire. A composer, teacher, and conductor, Ippolitov-Ivanov was not a church musician per se. However, he did compose several beautiful sacred works in a distinctly Russian Romantic style. During communion, a small group from the choir will chant the ancient Gregorian hymn, Ubi Caritas. This chant is often sung on Maundy Thursday. If you are interested in the text for this piece, you can find it in the Hymnal 1982 at number 606. The text has everything to do with unity, love, and community. Listen to the lyrical and unmeasured nature of the chant this Sunday. Gregorian chant is the church's original and therefore its oldest music. Let this piece help you meditate and pray as you commune with God and neighbor.