DECEMBER 7 | 7 PM | CHURCH
Choir the ompline
“O ANTIPHONS” SIEBEN MAGNIFICAT-ANTIPHONEN ARVO PÄRT .
Liturgical Reflections with The Compline Choir
Sieben Magnificat-Antiphonen (Seven Magnificat Antiphons) by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is a 14-minute work setting all seven of the traditional O Antiphons - texts traditionally sung during the final days of Advent leading up to Christmas. Rarely performed, the piece demands exceptional vocal precision and sensitivity to sustain the intense stillness of Pärt’s distinctive sound world, shaped by his meditative technique of tintinnabulation.
Though composed in German, Pärt’s music evokes the spiritual resonance of the original Latin chants. His tintinnabuli style is characterized by the interplay of voices moving according to strict, mathematical, bell-like harmonic and rhythmic relationships. These marriages within the compositional framework create a sonic landscape that seems to suspend time and heighten our sense of expectation. The result is one of contemporary sacred music’s most compelling interpretations of the Advent texts.
Some movements flow attacca (without pause), which is why you will hear readings interwoven throughout the performance. These moments of connection between each movement are designed by the composer to force us to relate one antiphon with another. I invite you, as the listener, to see if you can find the relationships between the paired antiphons and readings as the service continues. The seven antiphons - O Wisdom, O Adonai, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Morning Star, O King of the Nations, and O Emmanuel - are our guides through a journey of longing, hope, and fulfillment; mirroring one’s own journey through Advent.
As we move through this season together, The Compline Choir invites you to enter into this music as an act of stillness: to slow down, to listen deeply, and to reflect on what it means to wait with intention.
-Samuel K. Sweet
Assistant Director of Music, & Director of The
Compline Choir
An Order for Compline
An Order for Compline
O Antiphons
The congregation is invited to respond at “People”
The congregation is invited to respond at "People"
Opening Sentences David Hurd, plainsong
Opening Sentences | David Hurd, plainsong
Officiant: The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.
Officiant The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.
People:
People O fficiant
Officiant: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Choir: The maker of heaven and earth.
Choir The maker of heaven and earth.
Officiant & Choir: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father: We have sinned against you through our own fault, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive offenses; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name.
Confession of Sin Samuel K. Sweet, plainsong
O fficiant & Choir
People:
Officiant: O God, make speed to save us.
An Order for Compline
Choir: O Lord, make haste to help us. Alleluia
Psalm 4 | John Joubert
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father: We have sinned against you, through our own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone.
Alleluia
The congregation is invited to respond at "People"
Opening Sentences | David Hurd, plainsong
1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Officiant: The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.
2 “You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?”
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all our offenses; and g rant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name.
People: Officiant: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
People O fficiant O God, make speed to save us.
3 Know that the Lord does wonders for the faithful; when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
Choir: The maker of heaven and earth.
4 Tremble, them, and do not sin; speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
Choir
O Lord, make haste to help us.
5 Offer the appointed sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord
David Hurd, plainsong
Officiant & Choir: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father: We have sinned against you through our own fault, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive offenses; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name.
Choir Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia,
6 Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O Lord.
People:
7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Officiant: O God, make speed to save us.
Alleluia
Psalm 5:1-8 Samuel K. Sweet
Give ear to my words, O Lord; Consider my meditation. Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, For I make my prayer to you.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; Early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you. For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, And evil cannot dwell with you. Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; You hate all those who work wickedness. You destroy those who speak lies; The bloodthirsty and deceitful, O Lord, you abhor.
But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness, because of those who lie in wait for me; Make your way straight before me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning is now, and will be forever. Amen.
First Reading Wisdom of Solomon 9: 9-10
With you is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world: she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments.
Anthem
Mvt. 1 | O Weisheit (O Wisdom) Arvo Pärt
O Weisheit, hervorgegangen aus dem Munde des Höchsten, die Welt umspannst du von einem Ende zum andern, in Kraft und Milde ordnest du alles: O komm und offenbare uns den Weg der Weisheit und der Einsicht.
O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Almighty, you encompass the world from one end to the otherwith power and moderation you ordain all things:
O come and show us the way of wisdom and of understanding. O Wisdom.
Second Reading
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.”
Anthem
Mvt. 2 | O Adonai (O Adonai)
Arvo Pärt
O Adonai, der Herr und Führer des Hauses Israel, im flammenden Dornbusch bist du den Mose erschienen, und hast ihn auf dem Berge das Gesetz gegeben: O komm und befreie uns mit deinem starken Arm.
O Adonai, Lord and leader of the house of Israel, in the flaming thorn bush were you revealed to Moses, and on the mountain did you give him your law: O come and free us with your strong arms.
Third Reading Isaiah 11:10
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Anthem
Mvt. 3 | O Sproß aud Isais Wurzel (O root of the Stem of Jesse)
O Sproß aus Isais Wurzel, gesetzt zum Zeichen für die Völker, vor dir verstummen die Herrscher der Erde, dich flehen an die Völker: o komm und errette uns, erhebe dich, säume nicht länger.
O Root of the stem of Jesse, stand forward as a sign for the people, before you the lords of the earth are struck dumb, the people cry out to you: O come and help us, stir yourself, delay no longer.
Mvt. 4 | O Schlüssel Davids (O Key of David)
Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt
O Schlüssel Davids, Zepter des Hauses Israel, du öffnest, und niemand kann schließen, du schließt und keine Macht vermag zu öffnen:
O komm und öffne den Kerker der Finsternis und die Fessel des Todes.
O key of David, sceptre of the house of Israel, you open something, no one can close it, you close something and no might will open it: O come and open the prison of darkness and the chain of death.
Mvt. 5 | O Morgenstern (O Morning Star) Arvo Pärt
O Morgenstern, Glanz des unversehrten Lichtes, der Gerechtigkeit/ strahlende Sonne: O komm und erleuchte, die da sitzen in Finsternis/ und im Schatten des Todes.
O Morning Star, gleam of immutable light: shining sun of righteousness: O come and lighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Fourth Reading 1 Peter: 2:6
For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Anthem
Mvt. 6 | O König aller Volker ( O King of all People) Arvo Pärt
O König aller Völker, ihre Erwartung und Sensucht, Schlußstein, der den Bau zusammenhält: O komm und errette den Menschen, den du aus Erde gebildet.
O King of all people, their expectations and desire, cornerstone, which holds together the edifice, O come and help mankind which you constructed on earth!
Fifth Reading Matthew 1:23
“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”
Anthem
Mvt. 7 | O Immanuel (O Emmanuel) Arvo Pärt
O Immanuel, unser König und Lehrer, du Hoffnung und Heiland der Völker: O komm, eile und schaffe uns Hilfe, du unser Herr und unser Gott.
O Emmanuel, our King and teacher, you hope and saviour of the people: O come, hurry and bring us help, you our lord and our God.
In manus tuas
Alleluia | Eric Whitacre
Alleluia. Amen.
O fficiant
David Hurd, plainsong
Praise the Lord. Amen.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Choir Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands (In manus tuas) | David Hurd, plainsong
Officiant: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
O fficiant For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Choir: Into y our hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Choir Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Officiant: For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, O Lord
Keep us, O Lord | David Hurd, plainsong
O fficiant
Officiant: Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
David Hurd, plainsong
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Choir Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Choir: Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
O fficiant Lord, have mercy.
Officiant: Lord, have mercy.
People
The Lord’s Prayer
People: The Lord’s Prayer | David Hurd, plainsong
David Hurd, plainsong
Officiant & Choir: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come , thy will be done, on 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.
Officiant: Lord, hear our prayer;
Choir: And let our cry come to you.
Officiant: Let us pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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, bur deliver us from evil.
O fficiant Lord, hear our prayer;
Choir And let our cry come to you.
O fficiant Lord, hear our prayer;
Collect
O fficiant & Choir
Officiant & Choir: Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
People:
People Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.
[Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.]
Salve Nos Samuel K. Sweet
Salve Nos (No. XIII) | Samuel K. Sweet
Salve nos Domine vigilantes: custodi nos dormientes: ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we rest in peace.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Nunc Dimittis | Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina
Nunc Dimittis Thomas Tallis
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.
Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper: et in saecula saeculorum, Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, and now, and will always: and in the ages of the ages. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
As it was in the beginning, and now, and will always: and in the ages of the ages. Amen.
Salve Nos Samuel K. Sweet
Salve Nos (No. XIII) | Samuel K. Sweet
Salve nos Domine vigilantes: custodi nos dormientes: ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Concluding Blessing | David Hurd, plainsong
Concluding Blessing David Hurd, plainsong
Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.
Choir: Thanks be to God.
O fficiant
Let us bless the Lord.
Officiant: The Almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Bless us and keep us.
Choir Thanks be to God.
People:
Opening Sentences | David Hurd, plainsong
Officiant: The Lord Almighty, grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.
O fficiant The Almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Bless us and keep us.
People:
People
Officiant: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Alma Redemptoris Marian Antiphon, Solemn Tone
Choir: The maker of heaven and earth.
Alma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli
Officiant & Choir: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father: We have sinned against you through our own fault, in and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive offenses; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name.
People:
Porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti, Súrgere qui curat pópulo: tu quæ genuísti, Natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore Sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.
Officiant: O God, make speed to save us.
Choir: O Lord, make haste to help us. Alleluia
Psalm 4 | John Joubert
1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Loving Mother of the Redeemer, who remains the accessible Gateway of Heaven, and Star of the Sea, Give aid to a falling people that strives to rise;
2 “You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?”
3 Know that the Lord does wonders for the faithful; when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
O Thou who begot thy holy Creator, while all nature marvelled, Virgin before and after receiving that “Ave” from the mouth of Gabriel, have mercy on sinners.
4 Tremble, them, and do not sin; speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
Silence may be kept as The Compline Choir exits the sanctuary
5 Offer the appointed sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord.
6 Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O Lord.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
First Reading | Matthew 2:1-12
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have worship him.”
Soprano
Julie Biffle, Taylor Fenner, Danielle Harrington, Rachel Jones, Catherine Seveney
Alto
Linnea Anderson, Rachel Assi, Basil Ceniseros, Abi Hoyt
Tenor
Timothy Anderson, David Bone, Taylor Brimager, David Ferguson
Bass
Conner Allison, Hawkins Burns, Matt Glass, Patrick Gnage, Connor Lidell
Director
Samuel K. Sweet