Adrian Lucas to leave Worcester Cathedral

Adrian Lucas, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Worcester Cathedral, is leaving after 15 years in the job. The Worcester Standard reports that he is to concentrate on setting up his own recording company, in addition to continuing a busy freelance performing and directing career.

Very best wishes to Adrian for his future career.

More information here: http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/story-Organist-calls-time-on-Cathedral-career-40118.html

Music for the Royal Wedding

The music for tomorrow's royal wedding has just been released.

BEFORE THE SERVICE

Fantasia in G (Piece d'orgue a 5) by Johann Sebastian Bach
Veni Creator Spiritus by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
Prelude on St.Columba Op. 28 by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford
Sonata for Organ Op. 28 (Allegro maestoso and Allegretto) by Edward Elgar

Serenade for Strings in E minor Op. 20 (Allegro piacevole, Larghetto and Allegretto) by Edward Elgar
Courtly Dance V: Galliard from Gloriana (Symphonic Suite) Op. 53a no. 7 by Benjamin Britten
Fantasia on Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Farewell to Stromness by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring by Frederick Delius
Touch Her Soft Lips and Part from Henry V Suite by William Walton
Romance for String Orchestra Op. 11 by Gerald Finzi
Canzona from Organ Sonata in C minor by Percy Whitlock

PROCESSIONAL MUSIC

Fanfare by The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry to mark the arrival of the queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

March from The Birds by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry.
Prelude on Rhosymedre by Ralph Vaughan Williams will accompany the procession of the clergy.
I was Glad, by Parry, for the procession of the bride.

HYMNS

Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
Love Divine All Love Excelling
Jerusalem

THE ANTHEM AND MOTET

"This is the day which the Lord hath made", by John Rutter and commissioned by Westminster Abbey as a wedding present and "Ubi caritas" by Paul Mealor.

SIGNING OF THE REGISTERS AND THE RECESSIONAL

Blest pair of Sirens, by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry.

The Fanfare, called Valiant and Brave, after the motto of No. 22 Squadron (Search and Rescue Force) was specially composed for this Service by Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, Principal Director of Music in the Royal Air Force.

The Recessional will be Crown Imperial by William Walton.
Toccata from Symphonie V by Charles-Marie Widor
Pomp and Circumstance March no. 5 by Edward Elgar will follow the Service.

It's worth noting three very clear things from this music list: (1) it's very English - Widor and Bach excepted, (2) it's very traditional, and (3) there's not a celebrity or star in sight. While it's the very definition of an extraordinary occasion, and drawing too many conclusions would be dangerous, I would say that the music here is no different from the music lists of cathedrals and greater churches up and down the land. Agreed, the sheer quantity of music and quality of the performances are going to be superlative, and most cathedrals won't use an orchestra or fanfare team that often, but the underlying principle is the same. Recently-qualified priests who didn't cover music in theological college, please note: not a worship song or clavinova in sight.

There's a Telegraph article on Paul Mealor here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8479863/Paul-Mealor-The-Royal-wedding-composer.html

Easter at Christchurch Priory

Saturday 8pm Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter

Missa Brevis (Anthony Caesar)

Haec dies (Sheppard)

Sunday 9:45am Eucharist

Schubert in G

This Joyful Eastertide (Wood)

11:30am Choral Matins

Stanford in B flat Te Deum

Since by man came death (Handel)

6:30pm Choral Evensong and Benediction

Stanford in C

Blessed be the God and Father (Wesley)