penelope turner

I am pleased to say that, as announced in my previous post, Cum processit – the finger of God was premiered at our concert in the Lundi d’Orgue / Orgel op Maandag lunchtime series in Brussels on December 16, 2024.

This setting is for voice and organ, rather than my usual cellos and voices mix. The chant is a Marian antiphon, and I chose to create the setting for the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12th. As legend has it, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Mexican Juan Diego and his uncle in 1531. The most famous phrase linked to these appearances – ¿No estoy yo aqui que soy tu madre? (Am I not here, I who am your mother?) – is written above the entrance to the Basilica in Guadalupe.

Here’s the live recording. I am accompanied by the talented organist Xavier Deprez.

When the creation of God’s finger came forth, formed in God’s image, issuing of mixed blood through the pilgrim-way of Adam’s fall, then the elements received these vital joys in you, O Mary, worthy of praise, and in the reddening sky they sound you in their praises.

Here is the second in my “Scivias chants” mini series: O tu suavissima virga. The first was O splendidissima gemma, and this is its paired responsory – also dedicated to the Virgin Mary. (You will find my setting of O splendidissima gemma here.)

I will now get to work revisiting this one, so that it is ready in time for the live première of both these Scivias pieces: during a concert to be given by my new group, Ensemble Caldemia, at 6pm on March 16th in the Brussels Cathedral.

o tu suavissima virga: a responsory dedicated to the Virgin Mary

O you, the sweetest branch, sprouting from the root of Jesse. O how great is the virtue which the divinity beheld in this most beautiful daughter, like an eagle sets its eye to the sun, when the heavenly father directed attention to the bright virgin, in whom he wished his word to be made carnate. V: For in the mystical mystery of God, the virgin’s mind was enlightened and from her came forth the wonderfully bright flower.

A quick post to announce that I have finished my revisiting of #47, the Marian chant Cum processit. Yay!

However, as this one is scored for organ, rather than my usual cellos and voices, it’s not possible for me to record it at home.

Cum processit – the finger of God will be premièred on December 16, 2024 during a lunchtime concert in the “Lundi d’Orgue” series in the Finistère Church in Brussels (more details here).

So you can either come and experience it live, or wait until I can upload the recording.

In the meantime, I will get going on with my next chant (#48) – watch this space!