Choral music for Passiontide, Holy Week, and Eastertide as sung by the Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer - New York City, James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Lent and Easter Choral Music

The Schola Cantorum of Vincent Ferrer - New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Jesu dulcis memoria, Op. 78, No. 2
Pierre Villette (1926-1998)

Jesu dulcis memoria
dans vera cordis gaudia:
sed super mel et omnia
ejus dulcis praesentia.

Nil canitur suavius,
nil auditur jucundius,
nil cogitatur dulcius,
quam Jesus Dei Filius.

Sis, Jesu, nostrum gaudium,
qui es futurus praemium:
sit nostra in te gloria,
per cuncta semper saecula.  
Amen.
Jesus, sweet remembrance,
giving true joy to the heart;
but more than honey and all things
is his sweet presence.

Nothing more delightful is sung,
nothing more pleasing heard,
nothing sweeter thought,
than Jesus, the Son of God.

May, O Jesus, you be our joy,
who is our future reward;
may our glory be in you
throughout all eternity.
Amen.
~Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper of Maundy Thursday at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Maundy Thursday, 2018

Villette: Jesu dulcis memoria, Op. 78, No. 2

The Schola Cantorum of Vincent Ferrer - New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Ubi caritas
Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.  
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor.
Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur.
Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.

Where charity and love are, God is there.  
The love of Christ has gathered us into one.  
Let us rejoice and be glad in him.  
Let us fear and love the living God.  
And let us love one another with a sincere heart. 
~I John 2-4 

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper of Maundy Thursday at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Maundy Thursday, 2019

Gjeilo: Ubi caritas

The Schola Cantorum of Vincent Ferrer - New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Sir Edward C. Bairstow (1874-1946)

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and stand with fear and trembling,
and lift itself above all earthly thought.
For the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Christ our God, cometh forth to be our oblation,
and to be given for food to the faithful.
Before him come the choirs of angels,
with every principality and power;
the Cherubim with many eyes, and winged Seraphim,
who veil their faces as they shout exultingly the hymn: Alleluia.
~Cherubic hymn, Divine Liturgy of Saint James, 4th century
trans. Gerard Moultrie (1829-1885)

Recorded live during the annual Solemn Mass of the Stillman Foundation at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2016

Stillman Mass, 2016

Bairstow: Let all mortal flesh keep silence

The Schola Cantorum of Vincent Ferrer - New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

God so loved the world (from 'The Crucifixion')
Sir John Stainer (1840-1901)

God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son, 
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, 
but that the world through him might be saved.
~John 3:16-17

Recorded live during the Service of Seven Last Words on Good Friday at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2018

Good Friday (Three Hours), 2018

Stainer: God so loved the world

The Schola Cantorum of Vincent Ferrer - New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

In monte Oliveti
Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594)

In monte Oliveti 
oravit ad Patrem: 
Pater, si fieri potest, 
transeat a me calix iste:  
spiritus quidem promptus est, 
caro autem infirma: 
fiat voluntas tua.  
 
On the Mount of Olives 
he prayed to his Father: 
Father, if it be possible, 
let this cup pass from me;
the spirit indeed is willing, 
but the flesh is weak; 
your will be done.  
~Matthew 26:39, 41

Recorded live during the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Good Friday (Passion), 2019

Lasso: In monte Oliveti

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Sicut cervus desiderat – Sitivit anima mea
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)

Sicut cervus desiderat ad fonte aquarum: 
ita desiderat anima mea ad te, Deus.  

Sitivit anima mea ad Deum vivum: 
quando veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Dei mei?  
Fuerunt mihi lacrimae meae panes die ac nocte, 
dum dicitur mihi per singulos dies: Ubi est Deus tuus?

As the hart pants after the fonts of water, 
so my soul pants after you, O God.  

My soul has thirsted for the living God: 
when shall I come and appear before the face of my God?  
My tears have been my bread day and night, 
while they say to me every day: Where is your God?
~Psalm 41 (42):2, 3, 4

Recorded live during the Easter Vigil at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Easter Vigil, 2019

Palestrina: Sicut cervus – Sitivit anima mea

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Congratulamini mihi – Tulerunt Dominum meum
Orlando di Lasso (1532-1594)

Congratulamini mihi 
omnes qui diligitis Dominum,
quia quem quaerebam apparuit mihi:
et dum flerem ad monumentum,
vidi Dominum meum, alleluia.

Tulerunt Dominum meum,
et nescio ubi posuerunt eum.
Dicunt ei angeli: 
Mulier, quid ploras?
Surrexit sicut dixit.
Praecedet vos in Galileam, alleluia.

Rejoice with me, 
all you who love the Lord,
for he whom I sought has appeared to me;
and while I was weeping at the tomb,
I saw my Lord, alleluia.

They have taken away my Lord,
and I know not where they have put him.
The angels say unto her: 
Woman, why do you weap?
He has risen, as he said.
He goes before you into Galilee, alleluia.
~John 20:13, 15, 18

Recorded live during the Easter Vigil at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Lasso: Congratulatmini mihi - Tulerunt Dominum

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Jesu Salvator saeculi
Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585)

Jesu Salvator saeculi,
verbum Patris altissimi:
lux lucis invisibilis:
custos tuorum pervigis.

Tu fabricator omnium,
discretor atque temporum,
fessa labore corpora
noctis quiete recrea.

Ut dum gravi in corpore:
brevi manemus tempore:
sic caro nostra dormiat
ut mens in Christo vigilet.

Te deprecamur supplices,
ut nos ab hoste liberes,
ne valeat seducere,
tuo redemptos sanguine.

Quaesumus auctor omnium
in hoc paschali gaudio:
ab omni mortis impetu:
tuum defende populum.

Gloria tibi Domine,
qui surrexisti a mortuis,
cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu
in sempiterna saecula.
Amen.


Jesus, Savior of the ages,
word of the Father most high,
light from light invisible,
watchful guardian of your own.

You are the maker of all things,
the shaper of the seasons,
renew our bodies, tired with labor,
through the quiet of night.

As in this burdensome body
we remain for a short while,
so may our flesh sleep
while the mind watches with Christ.

We humbly beseech you,
that you deliver us from the enemy,
so that he may not seduce
those redeemed through your blood.

We ask, author of all things,
in this Paschal joy,
that from the onslaught of death
you defend you people.

Glory be to you, O Lord,
who has risen from the dead,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
for endless ages.  
Amen.
~Hymn at Compline from Low Sunday until the Vigil of the Ascension

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of Low Sunday at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Easter II, 2018

Tallis: Jesu Salvator saeculi

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Surge, propera, amica mea - Surge, amica mea
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)

Surge, propera, amica mea, 
columba mea, formosa mea, et veni.
Jam enim hiems transiit:
imber abiit et recessit.
Flores apparuerunt in terra nostra.  
Tempus putationis advenit:
vox turturis audita est in terra nostra.
Ficus protulit grossos suos: 
vineae florentes dederunt odorem suum.

Surge, amica mea, speciosa mea, et veni.
Columba mea, in foraminibus petrae, 
in caverna maceriae, 
ostende mihi faciem tuam, 
sonnet vox tua in auribus meis: 
vox enim tua dulcis et facies tua decora.

Arise, make haste, my love, 
my dove, my fair one, and come away.
For now the winter is past; 
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on our land.
The time for pruning has come; 
the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its fruit; 
the blossoming vines give forth their fragrance.

Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
My dove, in the clefts of the rock,
in the hollow of the cliff, 
show me your face;
let your voice sound in my ears:
for sweet is your voice, and your face is comely.
Song of Songs 2:10-14

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of Easter IV at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2018

Easter IV, 2018

Palestrina: Surge, propera, amica mea - Surge, amica mea

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Angelus Domini descendit
Giovanni Gabrieli (c. 1554-1612)

Angelus Domini descendit de caelo, 
et accedens revolvit lapidem, 
et super eum sedit
et dixit mulieribus: 
Nolite timere: 
scio enim quia crucifixum quaeritis: 
Jam surrexit: 
venite, et videte locum, ubi positus erat Dominus, 
alleluia.

An Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, 
and rolled back the stone, 
and sat on it,
and said to the women:
Fear not,
I know that you seek the crucified one.
He is risen;
come and see the place where the Lord was laid, 
alleluia.
~Matthew 28:2, 5, 6

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of Easter Sunday at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Easter Sunday, 2018

Gabrieli: Angelus Domini descendit

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Vidi turbam magnam – Et omnes angeli stabant
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594)

Vidi turbam magnam, 
quam dinumerare nemo poterat,
ex omnibus gentibus, 
et tribubus, et populis, et linguis: 
stantes ante thronum Dei, 
in conspectu Agni, 
amicti stolis albis, 
et palmae in manibus eorum: 
et clamabant voce magna, dicentes: 
Salus Deo nostro, 
qui sedet super thronum, 
et Agno.

Et omnes angeli stabant in circuitu throni, 
et seniorum et quatuor animalium: 
et ceciderunt in conspectu throni, 
et adoraverunt Deum, 
dicentes: Amen. 
Benedictio, et claritas, et sapientia, 
et gratiarum actio,
honor, virtus, et fortitudo 
Deo nostro,
in saecula saeculorum.  Amen.

I saw a great crowd, 
that no man could number,
of all nations, 
and tribes, and peoples, and tongues,
standing before the throne of God, 
in sight of the Lamb,
clothed in white garments, 
and palms in their hands;
and they cried with a loud voice, saying:
Salvation to our God,
who sits upon the throne, 
and to the Lamb.

And all the angels stood round about the throne,
and the elders, and the four beasts,
and they fell down before the throne
and adored God,
saying: Amen.
Blessing, and renown, and wisdom, 
and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and strength 
to our God 
for ever and ever.  Amen.
~Revelation 7:9-12

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of Christ the King at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Easter III, 2019

Palestrina: Vidi turbam magnam

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Scapulis suis
George Malcolm (1917-1997)

Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi Dominus
et sub pennis ejus sperabis:
scuto circumdabit te veritas ejus.

The Lord will overshadow you with his shoulders, 
and under his wings shall you trust;
his truth shall compass you with a shield.
Psalm 90 (91):4, 5

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of Lent I at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Lent I, 2019

Malcolm: Scapulis suis

Schola Cantorum of Saint Vincent Ferrer – New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Attende, Domine
James D. Wetzel (b. 1987)

Attende Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.

Ad te Rex summe,
omnium Redemptor,
oculos nostros
sublevamus flentes:
exaudi, Christe,
supplicantum preces.

Dextera Patris,
lapis angularis,
via salutis,
janua caelestis,
ablue nostri
maculas delicti.

Rogamus, Deus,
tuam majestatem:
auribus sacris
gemitus exaudi:
crimina nostra
placidus indulge.

Tibi fatemur
crimina admissa:
contrito corde
pandimus occulta:
tua, Redemptor,
pietas ignoscat.

Innocens captus,
nec repugnans ductus;
testibus falsis
pro impiis damnatus
quos redemisti,
tu conserva, Christe.

Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you.

To you, highest King,
Redeemer of all,
do we lift up our eyes
in weeping;
hear, O Christ, the prayers
of your servants.

Right hand of the Father,
corner-stone, 
way of salvation,
gate of heaven,
wash away our 
stains of sin.

We beseech you, O God,
in your great majesty:
hear our groans
with your holy ears;
calmly forgive
our crimes.

To you we confess
our consented sins;
with a contrite heart
we reveal the things hidden;
in your mercy, O Redeemer,
forgive them.

The Innocent, seized,
not refusing to be led;
condemned by false witnesses
because of impious men,
keep safe those
whom you have redeemed, O Christ.

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of Lent V at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Lent I, 2022

Wetzel: Attende Domine

The Schola Cantorum of Vincent Ferrer - New York City
James D. Wetzel, Director of Music and Organist

Haec dies
William Byrd (c. 1540-1623)

Haec dies quam fecit Dominus: 
exsultemus, et laetemur in ea, alleluia.

This is the day that the Lord has made; 
let us rejoice and be glad in it, alleluia.
Psalm 117 (118):24

Recorded live during the Solemn Mass of Ascensiontide Sunday at Saint Vincent Ferrer, 2019

Lent and Easter Choral Music

JamesDWetzel