I can never stay away from Bach for long. As evidenced by today’s selection, his “Komm, süßer Tod:” Komm, süßer Tod, komm selge Ruh! Komm führe mich in Friede, Weil ich der Welt bin müde, Ach komm! ich wart auf dich, Komm bald und führe mich, Drück mir die Augen zu. Komm, selge Ruh!  Come, sweet death, come blessed rest! Come lead me to peace For I am weary of the world, Oh come! I wait for you, Come soon and lead me, Close my eyes. Come, blessed rest! Attribution(s): “Johann Sebastian... Read more

Jumping the gun on St. Joseph’s feast just a bit, but I simply cannot help myself. And so, here’s another Bruckner motet for today, this time his soaring, searing “Os Justi Meditabitur.” (Bonus brass version HERE.) Os justi meditabitur sapientiam, et lingua ejus loquetur judicium. Lex Dei ejus in corde ipsius: et non supplantabuntur gressus ejus. Alleluia. Inveni David servum meum, oleo sancto meo unxi eum. Alleluia. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is... Read more

In keeping with our (albeit brief) Saturday tradition, here is “Quando corpus morietur” from the Stabat Mater of Luigi Boccherini. (I didn’t even know Boccherini had a Stabat Mater until I started this project. Very cool!) Quando corpus morietur, Fac, ut animæ donetur Paradisi Gloria. Amen When my body dies Grant that to my soul is given The glory of paradise. Amen Attribution(s): “The Crucifixion” by Evgraf Sorokin, licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons; “Bells” via Shutterstock. Read more

Today, “Christus Factus Est,” from Anton Bruckner. Christus factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltavit illum et dedit illi nomen, Christ became obedient for us unto death, even to the death, death on the cross. Therefore God exalted Him and gave Him a name which is above all names. Attribution(s): “Anton Bruckner” by Josef Büche, licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons; “Bells” via Shutterstock. Read more

Today’s selection is from the “Really Short and Really Sweet” category — almost too sweet for it’s subject matter, in fact — and comes from Franz Joseph Haydn’s lesser-known (but obviously-talented) brother, Johann Michael Haydn. I know him mostly for his wonderful pair of trumpet concerti, but his list of sacred compositions is quite imposing, as well. Here’s “In monti Oliveti,” from his Nine Responsories for Holy Week: In monte Oliveti ad patrem oravit: Pater si fieri potest transeat a me... Read more