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St Etheldreda’s in Ely will premiere a newly commissioned mass setting by composer Matthew JC Ward in a celebratory sung liturgy honouring its patron saint, as reported by Monica Underwood.
Thirteen centuries ago, a fenland princess fled a political marriage to found a double monastery on an island. Today, pilgrims visit her hand, held up in blessing, in the neogothic church of St Etheldreda’s, in the shadow of the great Ely Cathedral. But until now, there has been no mass setting specifically dedicated to this holy woman.
On 27th June, the Saturday following St Etheldreda’s feast day, the parish plans to honour her with a sung mass and premiere of a new mass setting written by English Catholic composer Matthew JC Ward. Mass will begin at 12:30pm, but congregants should arrive at 12pm for a rehearsal of the mass parts. Ward will be there on the day to conduct his new works, accompanied by world-renowned organist Martin Baker. A celebratory bring-and-share lunch will follow in the parish rooms.
Commissioned by parishioners of St Etheldreda’s, the new setting comprises a Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei, as well as a festal motet. The mass parts are in English and can be sung in unison or in two parts. Ward says he approached the project ‘with the idea of “bringing out treasures both old and new”. The Second Vatican Council recommended to composers that chant be the inspiration for our compositions for liturgy, and so I aimed to create melodic lines that were reminiscent of the flexibility and beauty of chant, whilst at the same time being underpinned by supportive yet modern harmonies.’
His motet Aspice nupta Deo, written for an SATB choir, is more complex, with a virtuosic organ accompaniment which Baker described as ‘demanding’ and ‘intricate’. The Latin text comes from St Bede’s hymn to Etheldreda: ‘Behold, O bride of God, thy glory upon earth; the glory that awaits thee in the Heavens… And a new song thou singest to the tuneful harp….’ Ward said he hopes his work ‘captures the ecstasy of those lines of poetry in a suitably festive atmosphere.’
St Etheldreda’s, Ely, is still seeking experienced singers to join the choir. Please contact Monica at monicaaway@gmail.com to apply.
Image credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Church_of_St_Etheldreda_in_Ely,_Cambridgeshire,_UK.JPG
