Musical Notes for Oct 6 Trinity Xvi

Prelude                                Rhosymedre                      R. Vaughan Williams

The tune of the Gradual Hymn (#504) was written by the Welsh Anglican priest John David Edwards, who named the tune after the village of Rhosymedre in the County Borough of Wrexham, Wales, where he was the vicar (1843-1885). Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), English composer of orchestral and choral music, set this tune in one of his few original organ pieces. The text, written in 1939 by the Episcopal priest Francis Bland Tucker (1895-1984), relates each person of the Trinity into this hymn for families.

Introit

(Psalm 86:3, 5) Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily.

For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee. (Psalm 86:1) Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.

Offertory

(Psalm 70:1b-2a) O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul to destroy it.

Organ                    Adagio                  Charles Marie Widor

Widor (1844-1937), French composer/Paris Conservatoire professor and organist of St. Sulpice, wrote this movement in his 3rd organ symphony with the melody in canon (round) between the organ strings and flute.

Postlude              Hyfrydol               Alec Wyton

The Recessional Hymn (#479) uses this Welsh tune (name meaning “cheerful”) by Rowland Prichard, cloth manufacturer and singer. The organ setting is by Alec Wyton (1921-2007), organist-choirmaster of New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine.