Music is another activity that can transport individuals towards the spiritual. Eight pieces of music have been chosen, four from a ‘Classical’ repertoire and four from the modern era.

Bach J S
Give, O Give me Back my Lord

This lovely bass aria from the great choral work St. Matthew Passion, focuses on how we hurt Jesus each time we betray him. Cornelius Hauptmann (bass), English Baroque Soloists conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Olivier Messiaen
Quartet for the end of Time (last movement)

This contemplative, beautiful piece for violin and piano tries to convey what it will be like when time stops.
Joshua bell (violin), Olli Mustonen (piano)

Gustav Mahler
Adagietto

This is the famous slow movement from his 5th Symphony, scored for strings and harp in which the composer attempts to convey a world of peace and utter contentment. New Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli.

Gabriel Faure
In Paradisum

This is the last movement from the composer’s Requiem and in a very simple way conveys what he feels it will be like when we leave this world and enter paradise. Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge directed by George Guest

Artist:Runrig
Song: Pog Aon Oidche Earraich (One Kiss One Spring Evening)

A haunting and intensely emotional piece of music from Scots band, Runrig. The words are sung in Gaelic, but translations can easily be found online. The lyric concerns a kiss and embrace between two people in a garden on a warm Spring evening, with echoes of the events at Gethsemane.
From the album: Amazing Things 1993
EMI Catalogue No: B000025ML6

Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Song: Streets Of Philadelphia

A sparse song with beautiful but melancholic overtones. It was originally written by Springsteen for the film Philadelphia starring Tom Hanks. The lyrics speak of spiritual and physical hardship and loneliness, brought about largely at the hands of others. Themes and feelings that are surely present in the story of Jesus’ Passion.
From the album: Greatest Hits 1994
Columbia Catalogue No: B000025T76

Artist: Moby
Song: God Moving Over The Face Of The Waters

An instrumental piece of music from contemporary electronic artist, Moby. The recurring musical motif brings to mind the power of the ocean and the natural world, with thoughts of its creator’s power and vision. The title directly references the book of Genesis: “And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved over the waters.”
From the album: I Like To Score 2004
Mute Catalogue No: B000024VJZ

Artist: Brandon Flowers
Song: Magdalena

Brandon Flowers, famous for fronting modern rock group The Killers, is of the Mormon faith. His first solo album, Flamingo, is littered with references to spiritual and biblical matters, set in the context of the stories of the people of his hometown of Las Vegas. This song is literally about a yearly pilgrimage made to Magdalena from Nogales, towns in the Mexican state of Sonora. But there is much more to contemplate in its hope for the prayerful forgiveness of the sins of all.
From the album: Flamingo 2010
Mercury Catalogue No: B003O85WU

The Resources – prayer cards, books ,CDs , DVDs, patterns and material and bible study note are available from the parish office, at Sunday Service or can be purchased off of the internet.