May 10, 2026

The prelude, "Passacaglia, Fughetta, and Finale" is based on the hymn, "Abbot's Leigh", which is used no less than 3 times in our hymnal-- 379, 511, and 523. (we have sung all 3 texts).  It is by North Carolina born, Austin C. Loveless (1919-2010), who was highly educated and eventually wrote over 1,000 compositions, played and lectured internationally.  A "passacaglia" is usually  in triple meter with the melody (in this case the hymn tune) in the bass -- or for the organ, the pedals; a "fughetta" is what you might guess-- a short "fugue-like" movement; and, here, the  "Finale" is simply an emphatic restatement of the hymn tune.

Our processional hymn is "O Jesus, crowned with all renown", 292, and our Gospel hymn is an all time favorite, "Come down, O Love divine", 516,  You may note in the hymnal that  Ralph Vaughan Williams "adapted" the old English tune in the case of 292, and actually wrote the hymn in the case of 516.

Our well known anthem is the 1947 L.J.White setting of the 13th century prayer known as
"A Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester", which has a simple but beautiful melody and then
adds a wonderful descant.  One can see why the text has been prayed for centuries.
Communion hymns are "Come, gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove" (512), and "For the bread which you have broken" (341).

Closing, we will sing Arthur Sullivan"s "Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts and voices heavenly raise" (191-- verses 1,3, & 5), an Easter hymn we have not sung yet this year. The postlude is called "Trumpet in Dialogue" (which maybe for part, should use the plural),
by the French baroque composer Louis Nicolas Clerambualt (1676-1749), who lived his entire life in Paris (lucky him!).  Note that he was just 4 years older than J.S.Bach, and died 1 year before him.  

Philip Dettra, Director of Music