Trinity Booklet - Buywell

of Trinity), by Ambrose of Milan, also dates from
the third century.
The most extended liturgical song in praise of
the Trinity is the ‘Te Deum laudamus’ (We Praise
Thee, O God). The ‘Te Deum’ is an ancient hymn
of thanksgiving, sung at the conclusion of
matins on Sundays, every day during the Feasts
of Christmas and Easter, and on other high holy
days. It is cast in three sections, the first of
which (verses 1 to 13) is a hymn to the Trinity,
the second (14 to 21) a hymn to Christ, and
the third (22 to 29) some penitential versicles
and responses.
The works collected here represent but a small
selection of the wealth of musical material
suitable for Trinity Sunday, or for any day in
celebration of the Holy Trinity. There is, of
course, a leaning toward the great polyphonic
works of the Roman church of the 16th century
– notably those by Palestrina, Lassus, Victoria
and Guerrero – and to the 20th-century English
Cathedral tradition, but you will also find works
by two slightly less well-known English
composers from around Byrd’s generation, Peter
Philips and John Sheppard, as well as two by
contemporary Australian and New Zealand
composers. The tradition of musical works
‘in praise of the Trinity’ continues unabated.
1 Plainchant Benedicta sit
Introit for Trinity Sunday.
Benedicta sit sancta Trinitas, atque indivisa Unitas:
Confitebimur ei, quia fecit nobiscum
misericordiam suam.
Domine Dominus noster,
Quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritu Sancto:
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper,
et in saecula saeculorum.
Amen.
Blessed be the holy Trinity and undivided Unity:
We will give glory to him, because he
has shown his mercy to us.
O Lord, our Lord,
how wonderful is your name in all the earth!
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.
2 A Hymn to the Trinity
Kenneth Leighton
Leighton was a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral and read Classics and music under Bernard Rose at
Queen’s College, Oxford. He studied composition with Goffredo Petrassi in Rome, and held positions
at the Royal Naval School of Music and at the universities of Leeds, Edinburgh and Oxford before
being appointed Reid Professor of Music at the University of Edinburgh in 1970, a post he held until
his death. One of the most important British composers of the post-war period, he published over 100
works, many for church use, including eight mass settings. The extended anthem ‘A Hymn
to the Trinity’ was written during 1974, and dedicated to Mairi Rolland and the Kinghorn Singers in
celebration of their 21st anniversary. After its publication in Oxford’s Anthems for Choirs volume 4 in
1976, for which it was commissioned, ‘A Hymn to the Trinity’ (for SSATB unaccompanied choir) quickly
became a favourite, enjoyed for its contemporary but approachable harmony, jaunty rhythms and
spectacularly evocative setting of an anonymous poem.
Let us now laud and magnify with music of concord
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, one ever living Lord.
With tuned notes that sweetly sound to praise our heavenly King,
With cheerful hearts, with pleasant voice on this wise, let us sing:
Glory be to the Trinity, one God and persons three;
As it is now and ever was, and evermore shall be. Amen.
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