Webcasts

The recording of services began in the autumn of 2015, when a new sound system was installed in the cathedral. These were made available on an occasional basis via the choir’s Soundcloud page. With the advent of this website, our aim is to make a different service available each week and, in this way, we seek to allow those unable to be with us in person to participate in the worship that is central to the life of Hereford Cathedral.

It is important to note that in these recordings, the listener hears exactly what they would have heard had they been present at the service itself. No extra rehearsal is undertaken beforehand, and no editing takes place afterwards.

An order for Choral Evensong can be downloaded here.

We hope that you enjoy these ‘snapshots’ of the daily services at Hereford Cathedral.

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Evensong, Wednesday 1 July 2020

Today’s webcast includes the Service in E minor by Daniel Purcell and Edvard Grieg’s beautiful motet Ave maris stella. The Preces and Responses are by Peter Nardone, former organist of Worcester Cathedral, and the voluntary is Fanfare by Paul Spicer.

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The texts of the psalms can be found here (opens in a new tab or window).

Old Testament Lesson: Job 29

Job again took up his discourse and said: ‘O that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me; when his lamp shone over my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent; when the Almighty was still with me, when my children were around me; when my steps were washed with milk, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square, the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose up and stood; the nobles refrained from talking, and laid their hands on their mouths; the voices of princes were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. When the ear heard, it commended me, and when the eye saw, it approved; because I delivered the poor who cried, and the orphan who had no helper. The blessing of the wretched came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made them drop their prey from their teeth. Then I thought, “I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix; my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches; my glory was fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.” They listened to me, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel. After I spoke they did not speak again, and my word dropped upon them like dew. They waited for me as for the rain; they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. I smiled on them when they had no confidence; and the light of my countenance they did not extinguish. I chose their way, and sat as chief, and I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.

New Testament Lesson: Romans 12: 9–21

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Text of the anthem

Ave maris stella,
Dei mater alma,
Atque semper virgo,
Felix caeli porta.

Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut videntes Jesum,
Semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.

Hail star of the sea,
God’s cherishing mother,
and, though still a virgin,
the blessed entrance-way of heaven.

Break the chains of the guilty,
bring light to the blind;
drive out our evil,
give us all that is good.

Grant us a pure life,
prepare a safe journey for us;
that, seeing Jesus,
we may rejoice with him for ever.

Let there be praise to God the Father,
honour to Christ on high,
to the Holy Spirit,
to all three one honour.
Amen.

Venantius Fortunatus 530–609

Archive

An archive of webcast services is available here.

To see all our previous webcasts, please visit our Soundcloud page.

We are very grateful to the Perpetual Trust for their support of the music of Hereford Cathedral. To find out more about the work of the Trust or to make a gift to further support the Choral Foundation please click here.