Service-cum-performance of vocal and instrumental music
St Olave’s Church, Exeter
9 May 2024 at 7.30pm
The ancient close-of-the-day service of Compline, with plainchant and polyphony. Hosted by Margaret Aagesen Hughes (Soprano) and Clare Bryden (Alto). This continues the series we first hosted in 2019, and returned to in 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, we are delighted that we will be joined by Joshua Hamilton and Sarah Rimmington (Violin), Catherine Bradley (Cello), Andrew Maries (Oboe) and John Draisey (Piano), with Judy Burgess providing British Sign Language interpretation.
Last year, our contemplative journey through Lent included a sequence of anthems by Andrew Wilson – “On the Holy Mountain” – setting a series of five bible readings that journeyed with Moses, Elijah and Jesus over the five mountains of Sinai, Horeb, Tabor and Olivet to Calvary. For 2024, we are honoured that Andrew has added a new movement for the mount of Ascension and re-scored “On the Holy Mountain” for soprano, alto, violins, cello, oboe and piano.
This celebration of Ascension will start with a selection of vocal and instrumental music chosen by us and the musicians, followed by a performance of the full sequence “On the Holy Mountain”. The evening will conclude with the service of Compline, as sung in previous years, incorporating an anthem and instrumental music. There will be opportunities for reflection through the simplicity of the setting, the beauty of the music, and the periods of silence.
St Olave is one of the tiny red churches that form the Parish of Central Exeter. Thank you to Rector Rev Sheila Swarbrick for opening its doors to us. The service will be free and unticketed, with retiring collection towards church upkeep.
Programme
Part I
| “Were you there?” African-American spiritual Clare Bryden, Alto Judy Burgess, BSL |
| “On the Holy Mountain” by Andrew Wilson Prelude, Sinai, Horeb, Tabor, Olivet, Calvary, Ascension from Olivet Margaret Aagesen Hughes, Soprano Clare Bryden, Alto Joshua Hamilton, Violin Sarah Rimmington, Violin Catherine Bradley, cello Andrew Maries, Oboe John Draisey, Piano Judy Burgess, BSL |
| “Trois mélodies” Op.7, Gabriel Fauré Après un rêve Andrew Maries, Oboe John Draisey, Piano |
| “Concerto in D minor for Two Violins” Op. 3 No. 11, Antonio Vivaldi Largo Joshua Hamilton, Violin Sarah Rimmington, Violin |
| “Gloria” RV589, Antonio Vivaldi Laudamus te Margaret Aagesen Hughes, Soprano Clare Bryden, Alto John Draisey, Piano Judy Burgess, BSL |
| “Shall we gather at the river?” Robert Lowry Margaret Aagesen Hughes, Soprano Judy Burgess, BSL |
Part II: Compline
| Margaret Aagesen Hughes, Soprano Clare Bryden, Alto Judy Burgess, BSL |
| “Sonnet for Ascension”, Malcolm Guite |
| “Hansel and Gretel”, Engelbert Humperdinck Evening Prayer Margaret Aagesen Hughes, Soprano Clare Bryden, Alto John Draisey, Piano |
| “Cello Suite No.1 in G” BWV 1007, Johann Sebastian Bach Prelude Catherine Bradley, Cello |
“On the Holy Mountain”
Andrew Wilson
Dr Andrew M. Wilson was born in 1960 and studied music at London University. He is Vice Principal of the National College of Music, London. His works have been recorded, published, performed and broadcast worldwide, winning many international composition awards.
Recent commissions have included “The Pilgrim Fathers” for Southampton’s Mayflower400 celebrations, “The Morgowr” for the 50th Anniversary concert of the Cornwall Youth Orchestra, “Aiming at Eternity” for the 2023 Wren300 commemoration and “Hare Trigger” for Sarah Watts 10 Wee Devon Pints solo clarinet project.
We are extremely grateful to him for composing “On the Holy Mountain” for our editions of Compline in 2023 and 2024.
Recording
Movements
1. PRELUDE
An instrumental introduction to the themes.
2. SINAI
God meets with Moses and gives him the Law.
Moses went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
from Exodus 34.4-5 (KJV)
3. HOREB
Elijah encounters God in the still small voice.
Behold, the word of the LORD came to Elijah, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
from 1 Kings 19.9,11-12 (KJV)
4. TABOR
Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus as he is transfigured before the disciples.
Jesus took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah: who appeared in glory.
from Luke 9.28-31 (KJV)
5. OLIVET
Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, shortly before he is arrested.
Jesus came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
from Luke 22.39,41-42 (KJV)
6. CALVARY
Jesus is crucified.
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him.
from Matthew 27.33-35 (KJV)
5. ASCENSION FROM OLIVET
Jesus ascends into heaven.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
from the Acts of the Apostles 1.9-12 (KJV)
About the Musicians
Margaret Aagesen Hughes
Margaret Aagesen Hughes is a professional soprano, choir director, and singing teacher and voice coach, with a keen interest in all music from classical to folk and jazz. She is the Musical Director of Exeter Chorale, an established and accomplished chamber choir presenting music across the range from early to contemporary.
Clare Bryden
Clare Bryden is a freelance writer and website developer, and a semi-professional musician. She has sung alto in a wide variety of groups and settings, from care homes to cathedrals. She spent three years living in the Anglican religious communities at Mucknell Abbey and CSMV Wantage, which birthed her love of plainchant, and has a practice of contemplative prayer.
Joshua Hamilton
Joshua Hamilton plays the violin/fiddle in group ensembles which range from classical – playing with Devon Philharmonic Orchestra and also accompanying local choirs – to folk/pop music – playing as a member of Nahotchan back in 2014/15, and also playing for cèilidhs and folk dances.
He teaches violin to all ages (children and adults), from beginner to grade 8, and also plays the piano. He studied music at the University of Leeds
Sarah Rimmington
Sarah Rimmington has played violin with a number of ensembles in Exeter and London, including Isca Chamber Orchestra, Exeter Music Group Orchestra, the Salomon Orchestra and the Haydn Chamber Orchestra. She also accompanies choirs and sings with the Torbay Singers.
Sarah is a translator, editor, proofreader and teacher of German and French.
Catherine Bradley
Catherine Bradley is an experienced cellist, and plays in orchestral concerts and special recitals with the Isca Ensemble, as well as for weddings and choral societies.
Andrew Maries
Andrew Maries has worked nationwide across the different styles and traditions of church music offering training and encouragement to musicians and clergy, including in Devon where he was regional chair of RSCM for a time. He currently plays the oboe in various orchestras and ensembles around the region.
John Draisey
John Draisey is a pianist and organist who regularly plays for services at the Mint Methodist and Southernhay URC churches.
BSL: Judy Burgess
Judy Burgess RSLI is a self-employed Registered Qualified Sign Language Interpreter, and is on the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD). She provides British Sign Language interpretation at the 10am Eucharist at Exeter Cathedral on the first Sunday of each month.
