St. John’s Episcopal Church | Portsmouth, NH
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All music recorded by St. John's musicians
All music under OneLicense A-726442
Benedic anima mea Domino,
[Bless the Lord, O my soul]
et noli oblivisci omnes retributiones ejus
[and forget not all his benefits]
et renovabitur sicut aquila juventus tua.
[and your youth will be renewed like an eagle’s.]
It’s a wide-spread tradition in the Christian Church to sing during the offering. It’s an old one, too. The offertory has been an integral part of worship for centuries. This elaborate offertory setting of a passage from Psalm 103 uses polyphony, or “many melodies,” woven together to help us experience the beauty and meaning of the text. Listen for how the melodies build upon each other, especially toward the end, with patterns repeating, or renewing, toward a restful resolution.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not be oblivious to all that God has given you.
Featuring members of the St. John's Parish Choir:
Morgan King, Margaret O'Neill, soprano
Christina DeMaio, Jennifer McPherson, alto
Andrew Maurice, Andrew Sokol, tenor
Joseph Harris, Olin Johannessen, bass
John Stromgren, director and author of program notes
Olin Johannessen, technical direction and production
Recorded live in Roberts Hall at St. John's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, NH, on March 15, 2023
