Brother James’ Airs

Lighting a torch in the darkness

Tag: Johann Sebastian Bach

15Sep

Celebration of the 17th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 27:1.
  2. Organ prelude: Jeremiah Clarke (1674-1707), “Prince of Denmark March”, Performed by Michael Rondeau, available in the public domain, at MusOpen.org.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 116:1-9, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: James 3:1-12, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, public domain.
  7. Gospel: Mark 8:27-38, World English Bible.
  8. Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.  
  9. Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  10. Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and Fugue”, BWV 562, performed by Gosse Hulzinga, in the public domain at MusOpen.org.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

19Aug

13th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

In many churches, this Sunday (or a day near it) is set aside to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. While keeping the usual lectionary readings for this Sunday, I have nonetheless added in some music from the rich tradition of celebrating Mary. Enjoy.

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 51
  2. First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6.
  3. Anthem: Pascale Colasse (1649-1709), “Beata Es Maria”, uploaded to YouTube by “L Jeanne”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Psalm 34:9-14, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from Puer Natus Est, sung at the Abbey of St. Martin of Ligugé, uploaded to YouTube by “Musique Sacree”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: Anthem: William Byrd (1540-1623), “Ave Virgo Sanctissima”, sung by Ars Mvsica. In the public domain, at Archive.org.  Translation: “Hail, Holy Virgin, most blessed Mother of God, bright star of the sea. Hail, ever glorious, precious pearl, lovely as the lily, beautiful and perfumed as the rose.”
  8. Gospel: John 6:51-58, World English Bible.
  9. Lord’s Prayer (latin): Sung by the Tudor Consort. Public domain.   
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Art of Fugue Contrapunctus 1”. Performed by Benjamin Alard on the organ of l’église d’Arques-la-Bataille; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary.

21Jul

Celebration of the Word for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 81.
  2. Anthem: Sergei Rachmaninoff – “Priidite, poklonimsya” (“O come, let us worship”) sung by University of Warsaw Choir in a live recording from the “Vivat Academia” competition held by the Warsaw University of Technology on 18th April 2015.  Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 23: James Leith Macbeth Bain, “Brother James’ Air”, sung by an unknown choir, uploaded to Youtube in 2020 by “mk671vlogs”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision”, 1st verse, sung at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, uploaded to YouTube by “Ad te levavi animam meam”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: Setting by Robert stone (1516-1613). Sung by the choir of St. David’s Church, Exeter, 2018. Uploaded to YouTube by David Walsh, used by permission.
  9. Blessing: 1 Timothy.
  10. Postlude: J. S. Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and fugue in C Minor” BWV 537. Performed by David Schaller; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
13Jul

Celebration of the 8th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  1. Opening Acclamation: Ephesians 1.
  2. Prelude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Chorale prelude on “Allein Gott in der Höh´ sei Ehr´” BWV 716, recorded on Hauptwerk VI, using the Sonus Paradisi Sample Set of the Schnitger Organ in Noordbroek, Netherlands. Uploaded to Youtube by Leon Kopecny in 2021, used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  3. First Lesson: Amos 7:7-15 (King James Version)
  4. Psalm 85:8-13, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, excerpted from Tomas Luis da Victoria (1548-1611), “Magnificat” performed by Ars Mvsica, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14, World English Bible.
  7. Organ music: “Come, thou fount of Every Blessing”, performed by Diane Bish at First Presbyterian Church of Naples, Florida. Used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: Mark 6:14-29, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, from the Book of Luke, King James Bible.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Motet: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), “Almighty and Everlasting God”. Public domain at Archive.org. Text: Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond the the Revised Common Lectionary.

30Jun

Celebration of the Word for the 6th Sunday of Pentecost

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  2. Organ Prelude: Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911), Prelude from Third Sonata for Organ. Performed at Immanuel Congregational Church, Harford in Nov 2012, in the Public domain at Archive.org.
  3. First Reading: Lamentations 3:22-33, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm: Heinrich Schütz (1615–1672) “Ihr Heiligen, lobsinget dem Herren” SWV 288. Singers: Paulina Bielarczyk and Sylwia Ziółkowska; Organ: Wacław Golonka, used in Accordance with Creative Commons License. Translation (Psalm 30:4-6): “You holy ones, sing praise to the Lord, be grateful and praise his glory, Because his anger lasts but a moment, and he has joy in life. During the night the weeping endures, but in the morning comes joy.”
  5. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15, World English Bible.
  6. Organ sequence: Starling Goodwin – Interlude 2, on the organ of the church of St Mary, Bermondsey, uploaded to YouTube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Mark 5:21-43, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6.
  9. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  10. Amen: JS Bach (1685-1750), “Amen” BWV 1083 by Ensemble Imero. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain.

05May

Celebration for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Easter 6th Sunday, Year B
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 51:15Hymn: “Amazing Grace”
    for flute, Angela Brown, and organ, Diane Bish, from a program entitled
    “Hymns and Sacred Songs”, used in accordance with Creative Commons
    license.
  2. Lesson 1: Acts 10:44-48, World English Bible.
  3. Psalm 98, from the King James Bible.
  4. Music: J. S. Bach: Cantata No. 207a: “O Praise the Lord Most Holy”, from a
    program by Diane Bish entitled “The Many Moods of Bach”, used in
    accordance with Creative Commons License.
  5. Lesson 2: 1 John 5:1-6, World English Bible.
  6. Music:
    John Stainer (1840-1901) “God so Loved the World”, performed by the
    Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford CT (with the lovely bonus sound
    of the siren of an unknown first responder toward the end of the
    piece), available in the public domain.
  7. Gospel: John 15:9-17, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew.
  9. Benediction and Amen, Public domain.
  10. Organ postlude: J.S. Bach, “In Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend, BWV 632”, performed by Aldo Locatelli, in the public domain.
11Feb

Sixth Sunday of Epiphany: Transfiguration Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday Year B
  1. Opening acclamation: from Psalm 50.
  2. Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, Public domain.
  3. First Reading: 2 Kings 2: 1-12, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 50: 1-6, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:3-6, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”, Stanza 5. From a 2012 recording by Immanuel UCC Hartford, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: Mark 9:2-9, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing:  The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6.
  10. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” BWV 739, performed by Thorston Ahlrichs on Christian Vater Orgel (1722) in Bockhorn, St. Cosmas und Damian, uploaded to YouTube by NOMINEeV, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

04Feb

Celebration of the Word for the 5th Sunday of Epiphany

  1. Opening acclamation: from Phillippians.
  2. Anthem: William Byrd (1543-1623) “Exultate Deo” sung by Drake University Chamber Choir, available in the public domain on Archive.org. Translation: Rejoice unto God our helper, sing aloud unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant psaltery with the harp. Blow the trumpet in the new moon, on the noted day of your solemnity. 
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 40:21-31, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, King James Version. This version set to music and uploaded to YouTube by “The Book of Psalms”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” (stanza 1) performed Aug 2020 by Park Cities Baptist Church, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Mark 1:29-39, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  9. Blessing:  2 Corinthians.
  10. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Vivace”-from Trio Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526, performed in 2018 on the organ of Minoritenkirche Linz/Donau, by Magdalena Hasibeder, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
14Jan

Celebration for the Second Sunday after Epiphany

  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 118.
  2. Hymn: “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”, Soloist Roger McMurrin, and Dianne Bish, organ, from “Joy of Music” program entitled “The Life of John Wesley”, uploaded to YouTube by “Joy Of Music” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: From a live service at the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Open My Eyes, That I May See” performed by Fountainview Academy; uploaded to YouTube by Terceiro Anjo, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 1:43-51, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing: from 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Toccata, Adagio und Fuge in C-Dur: Toccata (BWV 564)” performed by Kerstin Wolf on the Steinmeyer-Organ of St. Michaelis, Hamburg, uploaded to YouTube by Kerstin Wolf, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  12. The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

30Dec

First Sunday of Christmas Season 2023

Christmas 1st Sunday, Lectionary Year B
  1. Prelude: “Adeste Fideles” performed by ALTA BELLEZZA, Ann Allen and Hann Geisel on shawms, and Nathaniel Wood on slide trumpet; From Midnight mass on 24th December 2019, at St. Mauritius, Schötz, Switzerland.  Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. First Reading: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, King James Bible.
  3. Carol: “Noël nouvelet” by Verum, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  English Lyrics: (1) Noël nouvelet, sing we a new Noël. Thank we now our God, and of His goodness tell; Sing we Noël to greet the newborn King; Noël nouvelet, a new Noël we sing! (2) Waking from my sleep, a vision came to me; For before my eyes there stood a flow’ring tree, Where on a bright red rosebud I did see. Noël nouvelet, a new Noël sing we. (3) How my heart did glow, with inward joy divine! For with rays of glory did the rosebud shine, As when the sun doth blaze on break of day. This new Noël sing we: Noël nouvelet!
  4. Psalm 148, King James Version.
  5. Carol: “Silent Night”, sung by Malden High School Concert Choir at their 2018 State House Holiday Concert, uploaded to YouTube by Chris Murphy and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7, World English Bible.
  7. Carol: “Away in a Manger” from 2014 YouTube Video “A Christmas Offering: Three Christmas Carols Arranged for Baroque Guitar”, performed by Raymond Andrews, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  8. Gospel: Luke 2:22-40, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ postlude: Johann S Bach (1685-1750) “Puer natus in Bethlehem” BWV 603, from Orgelbüchlein, performed by Jens Engel on the Orgel der Christuskirche Lohmar. Available on youtube, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.