In St Margaret's Chapel

Bullock O most merciful
Shephard Responses
Bairstow in G
Elgar Give unto the Lord
Preacher: Revd Hannah Barraclough
(Associate Vicar, Tewkesbury Abbey)

Founded in 1969, Musica Deo Sacra is a festival celebrating music in the liturgy, held in the majestic setting of Tewkesbury Abbey. Each year a choir of mixed voices, comprising professional and semi-professional singers, assembles to sing some of the jewels of church music written over many centuries, ranging from ancient plainsong composers. The nine choral services – Masses, Evensongs, Compline, a Requiem and Matins – are the beating heart of the festival, and performing this music within the proper liturgical context, rather than a concert, gives the week a unique and special flavour. In addition to the round of services, there are various other musical and social events including an organ recital given by the Festival Organist, a chamber concert in the Old Baptist Chapel and a lecture.

This year we commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great Renaissance composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina together with the 400th anniversary of the death of the Tudor composer, Orlando Gibbons. We also celebrate the 80th birthday of Sir John Rutter, who was knighted earlier this year. As ever, the music features a wide variety of styles and periods, providing a blend of well-loved classics together with lesser-known items from the repertoire.

Palestrina Missa Papae Marcelli
Purcell Hear my Prayer
Gibbons O Lord, in thy wrath
Greene Lord, let me no mine end
Byrd Justorum animae
Preacher: Revd Dr Rebecca Lloyd
(Canon Chancellor, Gloucester Cathedral)

‘Whither English cathedrals? The honest reflections of a baby dean’.
The Very Revd Dr Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln
Admission £10 on the door

Berkeley Missa Brevis
Tavener The Lord’s Prayer
Gibbons O God, the King of glory
Pärt The Beatitudes
Handl Pater noster
Preacher: The Very Revd Dr Simon Jones
(Dean of Lincoln)

Paul Walton (Assistant Organist, Bristol Cathedral)
Admission £10 on the door

Tallis O nata lux
Baskerville Te lucis ante terminum
Blitheman In pace
Parsons Ave Maria

Gibbons Almighty and Everlasting God
Gibbons/Barnard Responses
Gibbons Second Service
Gibbons O clap your hands
Followed by a reception for the Patrons of MDS

Duruflé Requiem

Rorem Sing my soul, his wondrous love
Leighton Responses
Leighton Te Deum
Walton Jubilate
Bainton And I saw a new heaven
Followed by a reception in the Abbey

Nathaniel Mander (Harpsichord)
Tickets £20 from John Moore Museum and Eventbrite.
Information 01684 850112 [email protected]

Jongen Mass in G minor
Palestrina Sicut cervus
Preacher: Rt Revd Humphrey Southern
(Principal, Ripon College, Cuddeson)

Rutter God be in my head
Rose Reponses
Howells in B minor
Rutter Hymn to the Creator of Light
Elgar O salutaris hostia
Vierne Tantum ergo
Preacher: Revd Canon Nick Davies
(Vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey)