Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525–1594), Missa aeterna Christi munera  Palestrina is perhaps the most renowned European composer of the sixteenth century, and is particularly important for his central role in developing music following the Council of Trent (though apocryphal, the story that music was to be banned entirely in the Catholic church until the pope heard Palestrina’s Missa Papae Marcelli – a work that successfully reconciled demands that the text of music be comprehensible, and that the music itself be beautiful and uplifting – illustrates Palestrina’s influence).  Today’s mass was published in 1590, and is a perfect example of Palestrina’s simple yet serene late style.

 

Peter Phillips (1560/1-1628) was a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral, but – being a Catholic under threat of persecution – later fled to Rome, where he spent his formative years. After spending five years travelling in the service of Lord Thomas Paget, Philips settled first in Antwerp, and then finally at the Chapel Royal of Archduke Albert in Brussels, remaining there until his death. Having taken holy orders in 1610, Phillips wrote only sacred music from this point to the end of his life. However, this music is still very much indebted to the Italianate techniques learned under Anerio in Rome, which show themselves in his earlier Madrigals.

Translation:

In splendente nube Spiritus Sanctus visus est, paterna vox audita: Hic est Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi bene complacui ipsum audite. Apparuit nubes obumbrans, et vox Patris intonuit: Hic est Filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi benecomplacui, ipsum audite.

In the shining cloud the Holy Spirit was seen, the voice of the Father was heard: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear him. An over-shadowing cloud appeared and the Father’s voice rang forth: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear him.

Text: para. Luke 9:34-35

 

Herbert Howells (1892–1983), Behold, O God, our defender  Howells is widely considered one of the most important English church composers of the twentieth century, notable for his blending of traditional Anglican styles of composition which more expressive and contemporary harmonies and textures, often inspired by contemporary European composers.  Today’s anthem was first performed at the coronation of Elizabeth II.

 

The previous Director of Music at St Marylebone, Steven Grahl (b. 1975) is now Director of Music at Trinity College Cambridge. His setting of O nata lux was first performed by the choir of St Marylebone Parish Church in October 2012.

 

Text/Translation:

O nata lux de lumine,

Jesu redemptor saeculi,

Dignare clemens supplicum

Laudes precesque sumere.

Qui carne quondam contegi

Dignatus es pro perditis,

Nos membra confer effici

Tui beati corporis.

 

O Light born of Light,

Jesus, redeemer of the world,

with loving-kindness deign to receive

suppliant praise and prayer.

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh

for the sake of the lost,

grant us to be members

of thy blessed body.