Sunday Vespers for Ordinary Time
with organ accompaniment

music arranged by Jeremy de Satgé
(Catalogue L024)

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Notes

Detailed performance notes, as written by the composer, are listed below: -

“Whoever sings a psalm opens his heart to those emotions which inspired the psalm, each according to its literary type, whether it be a psalm of lament, confidence, thanksgiving or any other type designated by exegetes.” (from The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, para 106).

“Whoever sings the psalms properly, meditating as he passes from verse to verse, is always prepared to respond in his heart to the movements of that Spirit who inspired the psalmists and is present to devout men and women ready to accept his grace.” (from The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, para 104).

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In the prayer of the Christian community, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are of the highest importance.  Their public and common celebration should be encouraged especially among those who lead a common life. (from The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours, para 40).

This setting of Evening Prayer II (Sunday Second Vespers) is designed for parish use and is not difficult to learn.  The following are a few notes to help facilitate a worthy performance: -

• When reciting the psalms, one should always be conscious of keeping as close to the natural rhythm and speed of proclaimed speech, bearing in mind that when singing one should be careful to pronounce consonants clearly and to lengthen vowels as much as possible.

• In addition to 1) above, when reciting the psalms it is always important to be conscious of the natural stress both within words and within phrases, in order to interpret the meaning of the words clearly.

• This setting may be sung accompanied or unaccompanied.  The organ accompaniment is deliberately kept simple and may be used to a greater of lesser extent according to particular needs.  Organists may also embellish the chords further, should they so wish.

• In the antiphons, each syllable is clearly shown against individual quavers, so as to avoid confusion.  Ideally the organist should not need to play the vocal lines of the antiphons.

• This setting is designed to be flexible in order to meet particular requirements.  Ideally, the psalms should be sung antiphonally.  A cantor may also sing the first half of the first verse of each psalm and canticle if necessary.

• The antiphons contained in this score are for Ordinary Time only.  The Magnificat Antiphon varies from week to week.  Antiphons for each Sunday in Ordinary Time may be found in the Appendix (pp22-26) and should be included accordingly.