English composer Gustav Holst discovered inspiration, not solely within the people music of his place of birth, but in addition within the early music of William Byrd and Palestrina.
Nunc dimittis for eight-part choir is Holst’s homage to Renaissance polyphony. Composed in 1915 for Richard Terry, organist of Westminster Cathedral, the work was carried out on Easter Sunday of that yr, after which fell into obscurity. It existed in manuscript type till publication in 1979.
This efficiency options the British a cappella vocal ensemble, VOCES8:
Here’s a translation of the textual content:
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace in line with thy phrase.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast ready earlier than the face of all folks;
To be a light-weight to lighten the Gentiles
and to be the glory of thy folks Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son:
and to the Holy Ghost;
Because it was to start with, is now, and ever shall be:
world with out finish. Amen.
Recordings
- Holst: Nunc dimittis, H127, VOCES8 Amazon
Featured Picture: Westminster Abbey north transept, {photograph} by Arthur De Smet
