This new-years week was predominantly spent resting and preparing for my travel to Melbourne to avoid the dreaded Summernats festival, so I have little to report, save my church singing for the week.
Ecce advénit dominátor Dóminus: et regnum in manu eius, et potéstas, et impérium.
I was a one-man choir for the mass at All Saints Ainslie today. I sang a Christmas Gloria in place of the usual one from the Dudman mass setting, and for an anthem I sang Cornelius' The Three Kings, where the choir was replaced with a lovely piano accompaniment:
Three kings from Persian lands afar
To Jordan follow the pointing star.
And this the quest of the travellers three,
Where the newborn King of the Jews may be.
Full royal gifts they bear for the king;
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
The star shines out with a steadfast ray,
The kings to Bethlehem make their way,
And there in worship they bend the knee,
As Mary's child in her lap they see.
Full royal gifts they show to the king;
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
Thou child of Man, lo, to Bethlehem
The kings are travelling; travel with them!
The star of Mercy, the star of Grace,
Shall lead thy heart to its resting place.
Gold, incense, myrrh, thou canst not bring;
Offer thy heart to the infant King.
Offer thy heart.
I think it went rather well! I got many compliments during and after the service.
I've also finally added all my Chester-published polyphonic works and the English Church Music books to my Music Index, so the index should be more or less complete for now.
