My newest discovery was sent to me by Jeffrey Morse, director at St Stephan's in Sacramento. He has been using the Responsory Aspiciens a longe for Advent during the procession before the Asperges. He sent in this stunning recording. Note the way the schola blows through the longer notes to give them energy, and settles in so nicely at the end of phrases. I just love the long lines here. This is why the chant never sounds static. It is not fast but it is still full of dynamic energy, a slow burning fire.
Here is the text:
I look from afar:
and lo, I see the pow’r of God coming,
and a cloud cov’ring the whole earth.
Go ye out to meet him and say:
Tell us, art thou he that should come
to rule over thy people Israel?
High and low, rich and poor, one with another.
Go ye out to meet him and say:
Tell us, art thou he that should come
to rule o’er thy people Israel?
O come.
Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel,
thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.
Tell us, art thou he that should come?
Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come.
Come to reign o’er thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and lo, I see the pow’r of God coming,
and to the Holy Ghost.
and a cloud covering the whole earth.
Go ye out to meet him and say:
Tell us, art thou he that should come
to reign o’er they people Israel?
