Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis
(The Solihull Service)

The SOLIHULL CANTICLES were first performed by the Solihull School Chapel Choir during Choral Evensong on Sunday 9th March 2014, with Oliver Walker (conductor) and Peter Irving (organ). Further performances have been given in St Paul’s Cathedral, London and Eton College.

The Magnificat displays a virtuosic, scampering organ part, representing the young Mary running here and there in her excitement of the news she has just received from the angel Gabriel. In contrast the Nunc Dimittis, in a leisurely and ponderous triple metre, characterises the aged Simeon.

My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me;
And holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him
Throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm;
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
And hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things;
And the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel;
As he promised to our forefathers
Abraham and his seed for ever. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be.
World without end. Amen 

oOo

Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace
According to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
And the be the glory of Thy people Israel.

GLORIA