You are the glory of Jerusalem

September 8th, 2018

As we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lady today, I remember a few years ago when this feast also fell on a Saturday. The Mass of the feast was the 8am Mass and as we began the prelude music we sang the Ave Maria of Camille Saint-Saens.

I always remember this – it was a sunny, spring morning and in the silence of the Cathedral the light, gently arpeggiated figures gently played through the beautifully resonant acoustic – and then the dual melody appeared above it.

I sometimes think how Saint-Saens, like other illustrious French composers, must have become so familiar with large, resonant acoustics being organist at Paris’ ‘La Madeleine’ – and he knew how to create very special aural effects such as in this piece – two melodies working in tandem and moving through a large building supported by a light but vibrant accompaniment.

As we progressed through the piece, I glanced across to the Lady Chapel and I could see the sun coming through its stained glass windows – the rising morning sun especially irradiating them and filling that part of the Cathedral with vibrant colour – perhaps something akin to Our Lady’s manifestation into our earthly realm – her birth was without terrestrial fanfare, and yet she would be the one whom ‘generations will call blessed’ – she, through whom the Son shone through and was made manifest to us.

It felt like a truly beautiful salute from the Cathedral to its patroness on her birthday !!!

You are the glory of Jerusalem!

You are the joy of Israel!

You are the honour of our people!

Ave Maria recital – Sunday 9th September 2018

2:15pm

Admission free