Director of Music’s 2019 Lenten Challenge

Llandaff Cathedral’s Director of Music, Stephen Moore, has given himself a challenge for Lent this year. Stephen will record and publish online one piece of Lenten organ music for each of the 40 days. Asked about the project, Stephen said “It seemed like a good way to mark the forty days of Lent. It also will bring to light some of the wonderful repertoire that is available to organists at this time of year. It has been difficult to know what to play and I hope people will enjoy various pieces that I publish. It’s also my hope that this will promote the wonderful Nicholson Organ we have at the Cathedral.”

The pieces are all being published on YouTube with a short background explanation of each. The list is below, and these will be added to daily. Watch the videos and follow Stephen’s account by clicking here

Day 1 – Jeanne Demessieux Attende Domine

Day 2 – Olivier Messiaen Jesus accepte la souffrance (from La Nativité du Seigneur)

Day 3 – David Bednall Toccata on ‘Aberystwyth’

Day 4 – Peter Hurford Prelude on ‘Caswall’

Day 5 – Marcel Dupré Vexilla Regis (from Le Tombeau de Titelouze)

Day 6 – Jacques Ibert Choral in C-sharp minor

Day 7 – J S Bach Erbarm dich, Herre Jesu Christ, BWV 721

Day 8 – Francis Jackson Hymn Prelude on ‘Love Unknown’

Day 9 – Kenneth Leighton Rockingham

Day 10 – Dietrich Buxtehude Durch Adams Fall

Day 11 – Johannes Brahms Herzlich thut mich verlangen I

Day 12 – Marcel Dupré Cortège et Litanie

Day 13 – Herbert Howells Psalm Prelude Set 2 No.1

Day 14 – J S Bach O Mensch, bewein dein sunde gross, BWV 622

Day 15 – Leo Sowerby Were you there?

Day 16 – Johannes Brahms Herzlich thut mich verlangen II

Day 17 (The Annunciation of the Lord) – Jean Langlais Ave Maria, Ave Maris Stella

Day 18 – Philip Moore Hymn Prelude on ‘Horsley’

Day 19 – Herbert Howells Psalm Prelude Set 1 No.1

Day 20 – Ashley Grote Hymn Prelude on ‘Cross of Jesus’

Day 21 – J S Bach Herzlich thut mich verlangen, BWV 727

Day 22 – Cesar Franck Choral in E major

Day 23 – Johannes Brahms Herzliebster Jesu

Day 24 – Herbert Howells Psalm Prelude Set 2 No.2

Day 25 – Dietrich Buxtehude Ach Herr, mich armen Sunder

Day 26 – Kenneth Leighton Prelude (from Prelude, Scherzo and Passcaglia)

From day 27 onwards, Stephen performs John Hosking’s 14 Stations of the Cross.

Day 27 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross I – Jesus is condemned to death

Day 28 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross II – Jesus receives his Cross

Day 29 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross III – Jesus falls for the first time

Day 30 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross IV – Jesus meets his Mother

Day 31 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross V – Jesus is assisted by Simon the Cyrene

Day 32 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross VI – Jesus meets Vernonica

Day 33 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross VII – Jesus falls for the second time

Day 34 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross VIII – Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

Day 35 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross IX – Jesus falls for the third time

Day 36 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross X – Jesus is stripped of his clothing

Day 37 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross XI – Jesus is nailed to the Cross

Day 38 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross XII – Jesus dies on the Cross

Day 39 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross XIII – Jesus’ body is removed from the Cross

Day 40 – John Hosking 14 Stations of the Cross XIV – Jesus’ body is laid in the tomb and covered in incense

EASTER DAY – Iain Quinn Toccata on ‘Victimae Paschali laudes’