Music Suggestions
Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

Liturgical Music

Official texts

Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:
1. Rorate cæli desuper [Graduale Romanum, p.34]
2. Rorate cæli desuper [Gregorian Missal 1990, p.180]
3. Rorate cæli desuper [Gregorian Missal 2010, p.194]
4. Rorate coeli: A Responsory for Advent (Calvert Shenk)
5. Rorate cæli desuper (William Byrd, Charles Giffen, Jacob Handl, G.P. da Palestrina, Michael Praetorius, Josef Rheinberger, Heinrich Schütz, Samuel Webbe)
6. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ [Graduale simplex, p.271]
7. Skies, let the Just One come forth [Simple English Propers, p.362 (Adam Bartlett)]
8. As Christ came into the world [Simple Choral Gradual, p.272 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
9. The Lord said, as he entered the world [Saint Meinrad Antiphons for the Church Year, p.100 / Mode 1 (Columba Kelly OSB) OCP]
10. The Lord said, as he entered the world [Proper of the Mass (Fr. Samuel F. Weber OSB) 6 versions, pp.797-799 / Ignatius Press]
11. The Lord said, as he entered the world [English Proper Chants (John Ainslie) p.186, with Psalm 19 [18] / Liturgical Press]
12. Drop down dew from above [Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (Adam Bartlett) #351, with Psalm 19 / Illuminare Publications]
13. Drop down, ye heavens (George Alexander Macfarren, John Stainer)
14. An angel of the Lord [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.200, with Psalm 46 / Liturgical Press]
15. O Heavens, Let the Just One Come [tune: Winchester Old] from Introit Hymns 76 (Christoph Tietze)
Gradual (Responsorial Psalm):
1. Tollite portas [Graduale Romanum, p.25]
2. Tollite portas [Gregorian Missal 1990, p.622]
3. Tollite portas [Gregorian Missal 2010, p.677]
4. Tollite portas (William Byrd, J. Michael Haydn, G.B. Martini, Franz Xaver Witt)
5. Opera mea regi [Graduale simplex, p.324]
6. Here I am, Lord [Lumen Christi Missal, p.738 (Adam Bartlett) Illuminare Publications]
7. For the king I will sing my song [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.244, with Psalm 45 / Liturgical Press]
8. Chabanel Psalmody
9. Parish Book of Psalms (Arlene Oost-Zinner)
Eastertide: Alleluia Verse I:
1. Ave Maria, gratia plena [Graduale Romanum, p.412]
2. Ave Maria, gratia plena [Gregorian Missal 1990, p.623]
3. Ave Maria, gratia plena [Gregorian Missal 2010, p.678]
4. Ave Maria, gratia plena (William Byrd)
5. How beautiful you are [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.244 / Liturgical Press]
Tract (Gospel Acclamation):
1. Audi, filia, et vide [Graduale Romanum, p.417]
2. Audi, filia, et vide [Gregorian Missal 1990, p.623]
3. Audi, filia, et vide [Gregorian Missal 2010, p.679]
4. The [Graduale simplex does not offer an appropriate Tract.
Eastertide: Alleluia Verse II:
1. Virga Iesse floruit [Graduale Romanum, p.416]
2. Virga Iesse floruit [Gregorian Missal 1990, p.625]
3. Virga Iesse floruit [Gregorian Missal 2010, p.680]
4. Ecce tu pulchra es [Graduale simplex, p.325]
5. How beautiful you are [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.245, with Song of Songs 4 / Liturgical Press]
Offertory:
1. Ave Maria, gratia plena [Graduale Romanum, p.419]
2. Ave Maria, gratia plena [Gregorian Missal 1990, p.183]
3. Ave Maria, gratia plena [Gregorian Missal 2010, p.197]
4. Ave Maria, gratia plena (William Byrd, Edward Elgar, Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens, G.P. da Palestrina, Josef Rheinberger)
5. Ave Maria, gratia plena [Graduale simplex, p.272]
6. Hail Mary, full of grace [Simple English Propers, p.363 (Adam Bartlett)]
7. Hail Mary, full of grace [Simple Choral Gradual, p.273 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
8. Hail Mary, full of grace [Proper of the Mass (Fr. Samuel F. Weber OSB) 4 versions, pp.800-803 / Ignatius Press]
9. Hail Mary, full of grace [Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (Adam Bartlett) #352, with Luke 1 / Illuminare Publications]
10. Hail Mary, full of grace [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.201, with Psalm 85 / Liturgical Press]
Communion:
1. Ecce virgo concipiet [Graduale Romanum, p.37]
2. Ecce virgo concipiet [Gregorian Missal 1990, p.184]
3. Ecce virgo concipiet [Gregorian Missal 2010, p.198]
4. Ecce virgo concipiet (William Byrd, Johan Joseph Fux, J. Michael Haydn, Heinrich Isaac, Cristóbal de Morales, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck)
5. Ecce virgo concipiet [Communio, p.82 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
6. Ecce ancilla Domini [Graduale simplex, p.273]
7. Ecce ancilla Domini (Guillaume_Dufay, Johann Michael Haydn)
8. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive [Simple English Propers, p.364 (Adam Bartlett)]
9. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive [Choral Communio, p.8 (Richard Rice) Hostia Laudis Co]
10. The Virgin is with child [Simple Choral Gradual, p.274 (Richard Rice) CMAA]
11. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive [Saint Meinrad Antiphons for the Church Year, p.100 / Mode 1 (Columba Kelly OSB) OCP]
12. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive [Proper of the Mass (Fr. Samuel F. Weber OSB) 4 versions, pp.804-806 / Ignatius Press]
13. Behold, a Virgin will conceive [English Proper Chants (John Ainslie) p.187, with Psalm 46 [45] / Liturgical Press]
14. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive [Lumen Christi Simple Gradual (Adam Bartlett) #353, with Psalm 19 / Illuminare Publications]
15. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive (Roger Petrich)
16. I am the servant of the Lord [By Flowing Waters (Paul Ford) p.202, with Psalm 96 / Liturgical Press]
Mass settings:
1. Latin Chant Masses VIII (De angelis) & XI (Orbis factor)
2. Latin Gregorian Chant Masses XI (Orbis factor) & VIII (De angelis)
3. Latin Missa sanctorum angelorum (Calvert Shenk)
4. Latin Mass of Saint Jerome (Christopher Bord)
5. Mass of Our Lady, Help of Christians (Richard Connolly)
6. Mass of Saint Agnes (B. Andrew Mills)
7. Mass of the Angels (Richard J. Clark)
8. Mass of the Redemption (Calvert Shenk / Adam Taylor)
9. Modal Mass (Calvert Shenk / Adam Taylor)

Other liturgical music

Hail, Holy Mother from Seven Processionals for the Roman Pilgrimage Basilicas (Gary Penkala)
Psalm 45 (Christopher Bord)
Psalm 98 (Christopher Bord)

Hymns

All Who Keep the Faith of Jesus (CH #321, HPSC #108)
Ave Maria (ICEL #110, WIII #713, PMB #173, AH #531, CH #326, CBW #607, HPSC #117, CHB #294, SMH #441, LCH #143)
Blessed Virgin Mother (HH #294)
Free from All Stain of Evil (Kathleen Pluth) from Hymns for the Liturgical Year
Hear Our Prayer, O Gentle Mother (HH #295)
Immaculate Mary (AH #532, CBW #611, CH #316, HPSC #193, ICEL #114, PMB #172, WIII #708, CHB #154, SMH #577, VII #259, LCH #157, SEC #906)
In God I Will Rejoice [tune: Swabia] from Introit Hymns #88 (Christoph Tietze)
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates! (AH #485, HH #19, HPSC #211, ICEL #7, WIII #363, SMH #615, EH #484, VII #211, LCH #6, SEC #931)
Maiden, Yet A Mother (AH #540, CHB #155, VII #367, SMH #632, SEC #913)
Mary Immaculate, Star of the Morning (CHB #156)
Mary the Dawn (PMB #174, AH #541, CH #329, HPSC #221)
Nothing Is Impossible (Kathleen Pluth) from Hymns for the Liturgical Year
O Be Glad, My Soul, Rejoice [Magnificat] (HPSC #233)
O Mary, of All Women (PMB #179)
O Mary, Our Mother (SMH #675)
O Purest of Creatures! (ICEL #116, CHB #159)
O Sanctissima (WIII #712, PMB #181, AH #542, CH #318, CBW #616, SMH #684, VII #369, LCH #147, SEC #915)
Praise We the Lord This Day (ICEL #117, WIII #696, SMH #723, EH #118)
Send, Lord, Like Dew (HH #34)
Stainless the Maiden (CH #333, SMH #764)
Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord (HPSC #311, CD #846, CBW #638, CHB #264, WIII #534)
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (WIII #695, CBW #450, CHB #36, LCH #142)
The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky (AH #534, CBW #608, CH #334, HPSC #321, ICEL #120, WIII #405, CHB #161, SMH #783, VII #368, SEC #914)
Thou Art the Star of Morning (HPSC #331)
Virgin-born, We Bow before You (WIII #403, CHB #163, HH #49, CD #839, LCH #33)

AH = The Adoremus Hymnal, Ignatius Press

CBW = Catholic Book of Worship II / Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

CD = Cantate Domino / Hymnal Supplement, GIA Publications, Inc.

CH = The Collegeville Hymnal, The Liturgical Press

CHB = The Catholic Hymn Book [London Oratory], Gracewing Publishers

EH = The Hymnal 1940 (Episcopal), used by many Anglican Use Roman Catholic parishes

HH = Hymnal of the Hours, GIA Publications, Inc.

HPSC = Hymns, Psalms & Spiritual Canticles, out of print but excellent

ICEL = ICEL Resource Collection, GIA Publications, Inc.

LCH = Lumen Christi Hymnal, Illuminare Publications

PMB = People's Mass Book, World Library Publications, Inc.

SMH = The Saint Michael Hymnal – 4th Edition 2011, Saint Boniface Church, Lafayette IN

VII = Vatican II Hymnal, Corpus Christi Watershed

WIII = Worship, 3rd Edition, GIA Publications, Inc.

Choral Music

Adam Lay Ybounden (arr. Boris Ord) from Carols for Choirs II, Oxford
Angelus ad Virginem (14 C., arr. Willcocks) from Carols for Choirs III, Oxford
Annunciation (Heinrich Schütz) for ST soli and SATB choir
Ave Maria (Gregorian chant) from Booklet of Chant, Volume III
Ave Maria (Jacob Arcadelt, arr. Andrea Angelini)
Ave Maria (Anton Bruckner) [Peters]
Ave Maria from Three Sacred Rounds, Volume 2 (Colin Brumby)
Ave Maria, gratia plena (William Byrd, Edward Elgar, Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens, G.P. da Palestrina, Josef Rheinberger)
Ave Maria (Tomás Luis de Victoria, arr. Andrea Angelini)
Ave Regina cælorum (Calvert Shenk)
Ave Regina cælorum (Peter Latona)
Dixit Maria (Hans Leo Hassler) [J. Fischer, Arista, Chester, Concordia]
Drop Down, Ye Heavens (Heathcote Statham) from Oxford Easy Anthem Book
Drop Down, Ye Heavens, from Above (G. Winston Cassler) [Augsburg]
Ecce Virgo concipiet (Heinrich Isaac) [Chester]
Ecce Virgo concipiet (Cristobal Morales) [G. Schirmer]
Ecce Virgo concipiet (J.P. Swelinck) [Broude]
Ecce Virgo concipiet from Three Rounds for the Christmas Cycle (Colin Brumby)
Fiat! And Word Made Flesh (Ursula Ramjit)
Gabriel's Message (arr. David Willcocks) from Carols for Choirs II, Oxford
Hail! Blessed Virgin Mary (arr. Charles Wood) from Carols for Choirs II, Oxford
In Praise of the Virgin (Colin Brumby)
Lift Up Your Heads (Rev. Brian K. Muzas)
Lift Up Your Heads from Messiah (G.F. Handel)
Magnificat (Ronald Turner)
Magnificat brevis (Gary Penkala)
Mary's Salutation (Johann Eccard) [Oxford]
My Soul Glorifies the Lord from Eight Liturgical Rounds (Heathe Morber)
Rorate cæli desuper (Gregorian chant) [Liber usualis, p.353] Proper Introit for Advent IV
Rorate cæli [ant] & Psalm 19A [ps tone] (Gregorian chant) [Graduale simplex, p.59]
Rorate caeli desuper (Calvert Shenk)
Rorate cæli desuper from Two-part Motets for Advent (Gregory Hamilton)
Rorate cæli desuper (Gregorian chant) from Booklet of Chant, Volume 1
Rorate cæli desuper (William Byrd) [Oxford]
Rorate cæli desuper (Francisco Guerrero) [Chester]
Rorate cæli desuper (Charles Giffen, Jacob Handl, G.P. da Palestrina, Michael Praetorius, Josef Rheinberger, Heinrich Schütz, Samuel Webbe)
Salutation (Gary Penkala) from Easy Marian Motets
Sixteen Bicinios, Volume 3: Marian (Angelo Bertalotti, ed. Rev. Gabriel Iróffy)
Song of Mary (William Crotch) [AMSI]
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came (William Atwood)
There Is No Rose (anon 15th C.) from Carols for Choirs II, Oxford
There Is No Rose (Benjamin Britten) from Ceremony of Carols
Tota pulchra es, Maria (J. William Greene)

Organ Music

Adagio on a Lourdes Traditional Melody (Alice Jordan) [Organist's Companion, June 1985]
Alma redemptoris mater (Hermann Schroeder) from Die Marianischen Antiphonen
Ave Maria from Two Chant Meditations (Kevin Waters SJ)
Festival Processionals for Organ and Brass (Calvert Shenk)
Fuga sopra Magnificat (J.S. Bach) [Orgelwerke VII - Peters 246]
He Remembering His Mercy (Marcel Dupré) from Fifteen Pieces [H.W. Gray Publ]
I Am Black But Comely (Marcel Dupré) from Fifteen Pieces [H.W. Gray Publ]
Mach's mit mir, Gott, Nach deiner Güt (J.S. Bach) [Neumeister Collection - Yale University Press]
Mach's mit mir, Gott, Nach deiner Güt (J.C. Kittel) [Church Organist's Golden Treasury II - Oliver Ditson Co]
Mach's mit mir, Gott, Nach deiner Güt (J.G. Walther) [Church Organist's Golden Treasury II - Oliver Ditson Co] [Seasonal Chorale Preludes for Manuals, Bk 2 - Oxford] [Eighty Chorale Preludes - Peters 4448]
Maestoso: Five Processionals (Calvert Shenk)
Magnificat settings (J.F. Dandrieu)
Magnificat Suite (Jean Guillain)
Maria zart, von elder Art (Arnolt Schlick) [Church Organist's Golden Treasury II - Oliver Ditson Co]
Music for a Festive Occasion (Tim Knight)
Offertory from May Music (John Larkin)
Offertory from Messe basse (Camil van Hulse)
Postlude on Sicilian Mariners (Alfred Fedak)
Postlude on Sicilian Mariners from May Music (John Larkin)
Ricercare on Ave Maria klare (J.K.F. Fischer) [Consoliere IV-4 - World Library Publ]
Salve Mater misericordiæ (Robert Farrell)
Toccata à la Dubois (Jon Naples)
Variation to the Sicilian Hymn (Benjamin Carr) [A Century of Amercian Organ Music, Bk 1 - McAfee Music Corp]
When the Salutation Gabriel Had Spoken (Marcel Dupré) from Fifteen Pieces [H.W. Gray Publ]

Liturgical Hints & Ideas

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is a paramount and pivotal celebration. It speaks of the greatest instant in the history of our salvation, the moment of divine Incarnation, when Jesus Christ, Son of God, Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, took human form at his conception in the womb of a young Jewsih maiden named Miriam (Mary). This is the fundamental pro-life feast, recognizing the Lord's humanity beginning at his conception. The sublimity of this benevolent act of the Almighty is marked by a profound genuflection during its mention in the Nicene Creed.

This is also a pivotal feast, marking the exact division between Old and New Testament. The lower tier of stained glass windows at the Church of Saint James the Greater in Charles Town WV was designed in the Year of the Eucharist (October 2004-October 2005). The windows on the north side of the Nave show Old Testament prefigurations of the Eucharist, among them: the priest Melchisedech, the sacrifice of Isaac, manna in the wilderness, Elijah's food for the journey. Those on the south side show New Testament stories of Eucharist: feeding the multitude, the Last Supper, the sacrifice of Calvary, the breakfast on the shore. Directly between these tiers, above the choir loft at the rear of the Nave, is the great Annunciation window, showing the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary by a well, marking the division between testaments.

The liturgy and music for the Annunciation should underline the importance of this celebration to our life as Catholics.

Music Suggestions Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord