Pentecost (May 31, 2020)

By Original transcriber: Andrew Hinkley - https://gregobase.selapa.net/chant.php?id=2923, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59092620

Veni Creator Spiritus. Come, Creator Spirit.

This 9th century text is attributed Rabanus Maurus, a Frankish Benectine monk who was later to become the Archbishop of Mainz. When sung, it is traditionally to Gregorian Chant and prescribed for the feast of Pentecost and additional select occasions. The tune has been set by a myriad of composers over the centuries including French Baroque organist and composer Nicolas de Grigny.

From his singular collection of organ works Premier livre d'orgue (1699), two versets from "Veni Creator" will be heard this Pentecost Sunday. The opening "En Taille a 5" is set for five voices with the chant melody played in the tenor ("taille") on a prominent pedal reed stop. The last movement, "Dialogue sur les grands jeux," displays the characteristic nasally French reeds in an opening and closing overture with a sprightly gigue between.

Violinist Amy Welsh offers the "Allegro con brio" from Violin Sonata in D Major by George Frideric Handel. Composed in 1749-50, this was Handel's final piece of chamber music before his death in 1757. An expression of joy in D major: the key most associated by Baroque composers as the "Key of God."

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