Veni Creator Spiritus: Second Vespers of the Solemnity of Pentecost
Pentecost, the foundational moment of the creation of the Church, was an overpowering spectacle marked by mighty wind and tongues of fire, by which the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and set out upon their universal mission of evangelisation to all peoples. In this album, the Choir of Westminster Cathedral demonstrates the majesty and glory of this story anew through their performance of the psalms and chants appointed for the celebration of Vespers at the end of this day. The ancient texts of this feast are also adorned with choral settings by Palestrina, Tallis and Victoria, exemplifying the polyphony for which this choir is renowned, as well as through a contemporary composition by Gabriel Jackson. The album concludes with Herbert Howells’ imposing setting of Regina cæli and Maurice Duruflé’s thunderous organ work based on the famous Vespers hymn Veni Creator Spiritus.
Released on Friday 6th June 2025. Available to pre-order now.
Track List
1
Gregorian Chant
Deus in adiutorium
1:07
2
Gregorian Chant/Lodovico Grossi da Viadana
Psalm 109
4:20
3
Gregorian Chant
Psalm 110
4:13
4
Gregorian Chant/anonymous
Psalm 111
4:50
5
Gregorian Chant
Psalm 112
3:47
6
Gregorian Chant/Peter Stevens
Psalm 113
11:35
7
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Dum complerentur
5:53
8
Gregorian Chant/George Malcolm
Office Hymn: Veni Creator Spiritus
3:47
9
Thomas Tallis
Loquebantur variis linguis
4:24
10
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Magnificat Primi toni
11:54
11
Gregorian Chant
Collect
1:08
12
Gabriel Jackson
Factus est repente
6:02
13
Gregorian Chant
Benedicamus Domino
1:07
14
Herbert Howells
Regina cæli (Four anthems to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Op. 9)
3:19
15
Maurice Duruflé
Choral varié sur le thème du ‘Veni Creator’ (Op. 4)
5:58