The Choir of St Johns College, Cambridge is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world known and loved by millions from its recordings, broadcasts and concert tours. The Choir is directed by Mr Andrew Nethsingha, who has previously been Director of Music at Gloucester and Truro Cathedrals. The services follow the Cathedral tradition of the Church of England, Evensong being sung during Term six days a week and Sung Eucharist in addition on Sunday mornings. It has fulfilled this role in the life of the College since the 1670s.
Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Such sublime music! Thanks to the composer, and all the musicians involved in this recording. Here are the lyrics: Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion and turneth the shadow of death into the morning. Alleluia, yea, the darkness shineth as the day, and the night is light about me. Amen. This anthem is also so appropriate for the season of Eastertide.
OMG. I spent a couple of Swedish Summer choir classes (Swedish) in Cambridge many years ago. The most profound memory is Even Song at St Johns College, We went evey evening to enjoy choir music at its best.
I love this chant. It’s solemn, but yet mellifluous. I listen to it daily for hours at a time. The words come alive with such beautiful tonality and inflection. Well done choir and director. I look forward to many more like this. May The Lord in heaven be continually glorified in song.
Adaptation du lied Am Tage Aller Seelen - Litanei auf das Fest aller Seelen D. 343 de Franz Schubert Ruh’n in Frieden alle Seelen, Die vollbracht ein banges Quälen, Die vollendet süßen Traum, Lebenssatt, geboren kaum, Aus der Welt hinüberschieden: Alle Seelen ruhn in Frieden! Liebevoller Mädchen Seelen, Deren Tränen nicht zu zählen, Die ein falscher Freund verließ Und die blinde Welt verstieß, Alle die von hinnen schieden, Alle Seelen ruhn in Frieden! Und die nie der Sonne lachten, Unterm Mond auf Dornen wachten, Gott, in reinen Himmelslicht, Einst zu sehn von Angesicht: Alle die von hinnen schieden, Alle Seelen ruhn in Frieden!
Adaptation du lied Am Tage Aller Seelen - Litanei auf das Fest aller Seelen D. 343 de Franz Schubert Que reposent en paix toutes les âmes, Eussent-elles traversé les tourments de l’angoisse, Réalisé leurs doux rêves, Fussent-elles lasses de la vie ou à peine nées, Elles qui ont quitté ce monde : Que toutes les âmes reposent en paix ! Que les âmes des jeunes filles aimantes Dont les larmes ne se comptent pas, Abandonnées par un ami déloyal, Rejetées par le monde aveugle, Que toutes celles qui ont quitté ce monde, Que toutes reposent en paix ! Et celles qui jamais n’ont souri au soleil, Qui veillaient sous la lune, dans les ronces, Afin que Dieu, dans la pure lumière céleste, Un jour leur apparaisse : Que toutes celles qui ont quitté ce monde, Que toutes leurs âmes reposent en paix !
Dieser Junge in der zweiten Reihe der dritte von links, singt mit einer Hingabe, Leidenschaft, Lautstärke und Klangfarbe, sodass er die Chorbuben dominiert: amazing !
We live for the the organ intros to the great hymns that follow hard upon the last anthem from the choir. If we weren't so stiff upper lip it would be ugly crying along with the goosebumps.
It's worth protecting. Think about what you destroyed in Africa and weigh our own desire to protect something of this quality. Regardless, I agree with you
The chant is by Highmore Skeats Jr, and it is available in a number of collections including this one (see p.77): imslp.org/wiki/Cathedral_Chants_(Various) Note: we sing the penultimate note in the tenor as a single Ab, not Bb-Ab as notated in this version)
Thank you very much for taking the trouble to give me this information. The music has been printed and I am happily playing along with you. I have the CD and this is my favourite track and is often played as I drift off to sleep. Thank you for everything!
