Choral Services at the Cathedral of St. Philip
Listen to choral services, recorded live at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, each Sunday at 4 p.m., September–May. Most services are Choral Evensong (sung Evening Prayer), which dates from the sixteenth century, yet has its roots in the far more ancient Daily Offices of Vespers and Compline. One of the jewels of our Anglican/Episcopal worship tradition, Evensong has given birth to one of the largest and richest bodies of sacred music outside of the Mass itself. It is, at its heart, a contemplative worship service, and much of the service is sung by the choir alone, employing sounds that span the known history of Christian music. At the formal close of Evensong, an intimate “liturgy of the table” is celebrated for those who wish to receive Communion. Occasionally a classically sung Choral Eucharist, or a diocesan confirmation, or a service of Lessons and Carols takes the place of Evensong.
Choral Services at the Cathedral of St. Philip
A Meditation on the Passion of Christ, with Carols (March 24, 2024)
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One of the most moving choral services of the year, this meditation employs lessons & carols, spirituals, anthems, motets, and congregational hymns to illuminate the Passion of Christ, which is retold using biblical narratives from Mark, Matthew, and John, sung to some of the most ancient plainchant known to the Church.
The service is sung by the Cathedral Schola, and the officiant is the Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa.
Choral repertoire includes:
- “Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended” Herzliebster Jesu
- John Jacob Niles (1892-1980), arr. John Rutter (b. 1945), I wonder as I wander
- “A stable lamp is lighted” Andújar
- Trond Kverno (b. 1945), Corpus Christi Carol
- Spiritual, arr. Dale Adelmann, Sometimes I feel like a motherless child & Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen
- “To mock your reign, O dearest Lord” Tallis’ Third Tune
- Francis Poulenc (1899-1963), Vinea mea electa
- Richard Lloyd (1933-2021), The Ballad of the Judas Tree
- Kenneth Miller, “Beneath the cross of Jesus” Sewanee Schola
- Spiritual, Were you there when they crucified my Lord
- Antonio Lotti (1667-1740), Crucifixus à 8