Advent Carols by Candlelight 2016

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE

BY CANDLELIGHT With the World Première of The Malmesbury Motets by Nico Muhly

26TH & 27TH NOVEMBER 2016, 6.30PM

VICAR'S WELCOME I would like to warmly welcome you to Malmesbury Abbey for tonight’s Advent Carol Service by Candlelight.

As you sit in a darkened 12th century Abbey on a 7th century site of Christian worship and prayer you might well be expecting to encounter ancient beauty and mystery in our service this evening, and you would be quite right. Alongside biblical readings from the 1st century AD and earlier, you will hear music by Tallis, Byrd and J.S. Bach and will also be standing to join in with Advent hymns from the 4th, 6th & 12th centuries. We’ve decided to sing them in English, but you are of course very welcome to sing the Latin if you know it.

What you might not be expecting this evening is the bold and the new of the 21st century alongside the ancient. Works from James MacMillan and Ēriks Ešenvalds, plus a brand new commission from New York based Nico Muhly. His three Malmesbury Motets, which dovetail with the readings that precede them, pick up a great Advent theme, the hope that the light of Christ would once again shine in the darkness of our beautiful yet broken world and bring peace to the complexity of our human existence.

May you, and those you love, know afresh that light and peace of Christ in this holy season of Advent.

Revd Canon Neill Archer Advent Sunday, 2016.

Guidance for the Service • • • • • •

The service is lit by candles alone and begins in darkness When candles are being lit please take great care when passing the light to others Please secure all loose hair and clothing Because of the large number of candles in this service there is a significant risk – please take care with your candle at all times Unless otherwise directed, please stand for all congregational hymns during the organ introduction, and then sit afterwards There is a retiring collection – if you are a UK tax payer please use the gift aid envelope included in this order of service. Thank you.

Organist & Choirmaster Associate Conductor Lay Precentor Viola da Gamba

John Hughes M.A. (Cantab) A.R.C.O. Becky Saunders B.Mus. (Hons) Dr Annie Davis Liam Byrne

Organ & Viola da Gamba Preludes (from 6.10pm) Chorale Prelude on ‘Nun komm der heiden heiland’ JS Bach Master Tallis’s Testament Howells Les Voix Humaines Marin Marais

Welcome & Notices: Please remain seated in silence during the final two preludes as the Abbey is gradually darkened.

Chorale Prelude on ‘Es ist ein Ros’ Entsprungen’, Andante from Sonata no 2 in A min (BWV 1003)

Silence

Brahms JS Bach

Reading 1

Genesis 1:1-5 Read by Dr Annie Davis Lay Precentor, Malmesbury Abbey

1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light ‘day’, and the darkness he called ‘night’. And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day.

Choir

I. Terra autem erat inanis et vacua Nico Muhly

Sung from St Aldhelm’s Chapel The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, Then God said, “Let there be light”, and there was light.

Bidding Prayer

Revd Canon Neill Archer Vicar, Malmesbury Abbey

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Choir

Conditor alme siderum (7th century)

The light is passed through the Abbey, with the congregation still seated.

Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting light, O Jesu, Saviour of us all, Regard thy servants when they call.

Thou, grieving at the bitter cry Of all creation doomed to die, Didst come to save a ruined race With healing gifts of heavenly grace.

Thou camest, the Bridegroom of the bride, As drew the world to evening-tide; Proceeding from a virgin shrine, The Son of Man, yet Lord divine.

At Thy great name, exalted now, All knees must bend, all hearts must bow; And things in heaven and earth shall own, That Thou art Lord and King alone.

To thee, O Holy One, we pray Our judge in that tremendous day; Preserve us, while we dwell below From every onslaught of the foe.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee Whose advent sets thy people free; Whom with the Father we adore And Spirit blest, forevermore. Amen

Corde natus ex Parentis (4th century)

Hymn

During which the choir process to the font at the West End

O

f the Father’s heart begotten, Ere the world from chaos rose, He is Alpha: from that fountain All that is and hath been flows; He is Omega, of all things Yet to come the mystic close Evermore and evermore!

By His Word was all created; He commanded and ‘twas done; Earth and sky and boundless ocean, Universe of three in one, All that sees the moon’s soft radiance, All that breathes beneath the sun, Evermore and evermore!

This is he whom seers and prophets Sang in ages long gone by; This is he of old reveal-ed In the page of prophecy; Lo! He comes, the promised Saviour; Let the world his praises cry!

Evermore and evermore!

Sing ye heights of heaven his praises Angels and Archangels sing!

Wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful Let your joyous anthems ring.

Every tongue his name confessing, Countless voices answering, Evermore and evermore!

Please sit

Choir

O Emmanuel Ēriks Ešenvalds

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Reading 2

1

Psalm 43 Read by Diana Crowe (26th) Mark Hunt (27th) Churchwardens

Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation.

Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.

2 You are God my stronghold.

Why have you rejected me?

Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.

Choir

O nata lux de lumine Thomas Tallis

O Light born of Light, Jesus, Redeemer of the world, with loving-kindness deign to receive suppliant praise and prayer.

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh for the sake of the lost, grant us to be members of thy blessed body.

Veni redemptor gentium (4th century)

Hymn

During which the choir process to the centre of the Nave

C

ome, thou Redeemer of the earth, And manifest thy virgin-birth: Let every age adoring fall; Such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will, but of the Spirit, thou art still The Word of God in flesh arrayed, The promised fruit to man displayed.

The virgin womb that burden gained With virgin honour all unstained; The banners there of virtue glow; God in His temple dwells below.

Forth from His chamber goeth He, That royal home of purity, A giant in twofold substance one, Rejoicing now His course to run.

O equal to thy Father, thou!

Gird on thy fleshly mantle now, The weakness of our mortal state With deathless might invigorate.

All laud eternal Son to Thee Whose advent sets thy people free; Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen

Reading 3

Isaiah 9:2,3,6,7 Read by John Sunderland PCC Chair

2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Choir

II. Populus qui ambulabat Nico Muhly

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.

Reading 4

Isaiah 7:10-15 Read by Jane Sunderland (26th) Chorister Revd Mandy Churcher (27th) May Moore Chaplain

10

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 ‘Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.’

12 But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.’

13 Then Isaiah said, ‘Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.

Choir

Ecce virgo concipiet William Byrd

Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

(Isaiah 7:14)

Charles Wesley (18th Century)

Hymn

C

ome, thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth thou art: Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, Born a child, and yet a king, Born to reign in us for ever, Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By thine all-sufficient merit Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Reading 5

Isaiah 60:1-5a Read by Chris Jager (26th) Chorister Michael Palmer (27th) Chorister

‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

4 ‘Lift up your eyes and look about you: all assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.

5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy.

Choir

Spaséñiye sodélal yesí, Pavel Chesnokov

Salvation is worked in the midst of the earth, O God. Alleluia.

(Psalm 74:12)

Liturgy of St James (4th century)

Hymn

During which the choir process to the altar

L Â

et all mortal flesh keep silence, And with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly minded, For with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary, As of old on earth He stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, In the body and the blood; He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven Spreads its vanguard on the way, As the Light of light descendeth From the realms of endless day, That the powers of hell may vanish As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six winged seraph, Cherubim with sleepless eye, Veil their faces to the presence, As with ceaseless voice they cry: Alleluia, Alleluia Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Reading 6

John 1:1-5 Read by Revd Canon Neill Archer Vicar, Malmesbury Abbey

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.

3

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.

Choir

III. In ipso vita erat Nico Muhly

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not understood it.

Vox clara ecce intonate (6th century)

Hymn

H

ark! a thrilling voice is sounding.

‘Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say; ‘Cast away the dreams of darkness, O ye children of the day.’

Wakened by the solemn warning, Let the earth-bound soul arise; Christ, her sun, all ill dispelling, Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb, so long expected, Comes with pardon down from heav’n; Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, One and all to be forgiv’n; That when next he comes with glory, And the world is wrapped in fear, With his mercy he may shield us, And with words of love draw near.

Honour, glory, might, and blessing To the Father and the Son, With the everlasting Spirit, While eternal ages run.

Choir

Advent Antiphon James MacMillan

I lift my soul to you, I trust you Lord my God. No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame Show, O Lord your ways to me, and teach me your paths. (Ps 25:4) I lift my soul to you, I trust you Lord my God. No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

I lift my soul to you, I trust you Lord my God. No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame

Prayers

With the response

Let us pray to the Lord Lord, have mercy.

Brian Whitehead (26th) Lay Minister, Malmesbury Abbey Rachel Robertson (27th) Ordinand, Trinity College, Bristol

The Advent Collect Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility: so that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Choir

The Advent Vesper Responsory Palestrina

Judah and Jerusalem, fear not, nor be dismayed; Tomorrow go ye forth, and the Lord, he will be with you.

Stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord.

Tomorrow go ye forth, and the Lord, he will be with you.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

Tomorrow go ye forth, and the Lord, he will be with you.

Advent O Antiphons (12th century)

Hymn

O

come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny From depths of hell thy people save, And give them victory o’er the grave: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Key of David, come And open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Lord of Might, Who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height, In ancient times didst give the law In cloud and majesty and awe: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Please remain standing

The Advent Blessing May God the Father, who loved the world so much that he sent his only Son, give you grace to prepare for the life eternal.

Amen.

May God the Son, who comes to us as Redeemer and Judge, reveal to you the path from darkness to light.

Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit, by whose working the Virgin Mary conceived the Christ, help you bear the fruits of holiness.

Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

Recessional

Charles Wesley (18th Century)

During which the choir processes to St Aldhelm’s Chapel

L

o, he comes with clouds descending, Once for mortal sinners slain; Thousand, thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of his train: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Christ appears, on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold him Robed in dreadful majesty; We who set at naught and sold him, Pierced and nailed him to the tree, Deeply grieving, deeply grieving, deeply grieving, Shall the true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of his Passion Still his dazzling body bears, Cause of endless exultation To his ransomed worshippers: With what rapture, with what rapture, With what rapture Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen! Let all adore thee, High on thine eternal throne; Saviour, take the power and glory: Claim the kingdom for thine own: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

Please remain standing

Choir

Glory, honour, power and blessing J.S. Bach

‘Glory, honour, power and blessing’ all living creatures stand confessing with harps and cymbals round your throne.

Gates of pearl and streets pure golden, the saints and angels stand beholding God’s city, our eternal home.

His glory gives it light; no eye has seen a sight of such splendour.

Rejoice afar, ‘Alleluia!’ Forever praise Him, ‘Gloria!’

Dismissal Our Lord says, ‘I am coming soon.’

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting.

Amen.

Organ Voluntary Fantasia ‘In dulci jubilo’ J.S. Bach There is a retiring collection.