Ave Maria: First Vespers of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Buckfast The Choir of Buckfast Abbey & Philip Arkwright

• David Davies (b. 1954):
• 1 Davies: Improvisation sur le thème du Memorare 04:11
• Francisco Guerrero (1528 - 1599):
• 2 Guerrero: Trahe me post te 04:51
• Gregorian Chant:
• 3 Chant: Deus in adiutorium 01:05
• 4 Chant: Psalm 109 03:28
• David Davies:
• 5 Davies: Organ Improvisation 01:29
• Gregorian Chant:
• 6 Chant: Psalm 112 03:12
• David Davies:
• 7 Davies: Organ Improvisation 01:26
• Gregorian Chant:
• 8 Chant: Psalm 121 05:11
• David Davies:
• 9 Davies: Organ Improvisation 01:15
• Gregorian Chant:
• 10 Chant: Psalm 126 04:02
• David Davies:
• 11 Davies: Organ Improvisation 01:42
• Gregorian Chant:
• 12 Chant: Scripture Reading: Benedixit te 00:34
• 13 Chant: Short Responsory: Ave Maria 01:54
• Felice Anerio (1560 - 1614):
• 14 Anerio: Office Hymn: Ave maris stella 05:35
• Gregorian Chant:
• 15 Chant: Versicle: Dignare me 00:38
• Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548 - 1611):
• 16 Victoria: Magnificat octavi toni 09:07
• David Davies:
• 17 Davies: Organ Improvisation 02:23
• Gregorian Chant:
• 18 Chant: Litany of Supplication 02:43
• 19 Chant: Benedicamus Domino 00:51
• William Byrd (1539 - 1623):
• 20 Byrd: Salve Regina 05:06
• Traditional:
• 21 Traditional: Hail, Queen of heaven 03:45
• Philip Arkwright (b. 1983):
• 22 Arkwright: Ave Maria 03:00
• David Davies:
• 23 Davies: Symphony No. 1: III. Stella Maris 07:48
• Total Runtime 01:15:16

Info for Ave Maria: First Vespers of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Buckfast

The Choir of Buckfast Abbey presents music for the First Vespers of Our Lady of Buckfast, the Abbey’s patronal feast on 24 May. The Gregorian chant of the Monastic Rite is interspersed with glorious polyphonic works by Felice Anerio, William Byrd and Francisco Guerrero, culminating in the splendid Magnificat Octavi toni by Tomás Luis de Victoria. A thrilling new arrangement of the traditional devotional hymn Hail, Queen of heaven is the climax of this joyous service. Full use of the tonal capability of the Abbey’s Ruffatti organ is made throughout, with a number of liturgical improvisations.

"Performed in Latin, the singing throughout is beautifully phrased and paced, with sensitive organ accompaniment… If you’re pining for this kind of liturgy, this album should transport you to heaven." (RSCM Church Music Quarterly)

"…they create a real sense of occasion, liturgical atmosphere and genuine solemnity. A shining example of how to honour the principles of Sacrosanctum Concilium today." (Choir & Organ)

The Choir of Buckfast Abbey
Philip Arkwright, direction

The Choir of Buckfast Abbey
The present incarnation of the Abbey Choir was founded in 2009. The choir has since established a broad repertoire, ranging from polyphonic music of the sixteenth century and Masses of the Viennese school, through to music of the French Romantic tradition and contemporary music by James MacMillian, Matthew Martin and Dom Sebastian Wolff OSB. The choir has recently commissioned a set of eight fauxbourdon Magnificats for the liturgy from Andrew Reid, and given the premiere of a new Mass for Corpus Christi composed by Martin Baker. The choir sings Solemn Mass and Vespers on Sundays, and Mass on Holy Days of Obligation during the week. A smaller schola supports the singing of the Monastic Community for Mass on weekday Solemnities and during choir holidays. The choir gives several concert performances each year, with recent highlights including Charpentier’s Messe de minuit with Noxwode Baroque and the Duruflé Requiem with the Southern Sinfonia. The choir recorded its first album in 2014 and has subsequently made several recordings on the Abbey’s in-house record label, Ad Fontes. In 2018 the choir sang Midnight Mass at the conclusion of Buckfast’s millennium year, which was televised live on BBC One.

Philip Arkwright
is Organist & Master of the Music at Buckfast Abbey. Born in St Helens, Merseyside, Philip began his musical career as Organ Scholar at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and was subsequently appointed as Sub-Organist and Director of the Cathedral Girls’ Choir. Philip graduated with a combined honours degree in theology and religious studies, with music, from Liverpool Hope University, and afterwards with a master’s degree in Sacred Music. During his tenure at Buckfast Abbey, Philip has overseen the expansion of the music department to include the new Ruffatti organ, the formation of a new choir of choristers, a thriving concert and organ recital series, in addition to the establishment of the Abbey’s own record label. In 2018, Philip directed the Abbey Choir at a number of high profile services and events to celebrate 1000 years since the monastery’s foundation, including a live televised broadcast of Christmas Midnight Mass – the first such broadcast from a Roman Catholic abbey in the UK.

Matthew Searles
is Master of the Music at Buckfast Abbey. He is responsible for all aspects of the musical life of the Abbey, including the daily Mass and Office, direction of the Abbey Choir, and is Executive Producer of the in-house record label, Ad Fontes. Matthew joined the Abbey in 2018 as Assistant Master of the Music, during which time he helped to re-establish a treble line of choristers, and played for Midnight Mass, televised live on BBC One. Prior to moving to Buckfast, Matthew was Sub-Organist of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. He is a prizewinning graduate of Royal Holloway, University of London, where he received First Class Honours and the Driver Prize for ‘outstanding musical performance’. Matthew continued his studies at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Poitiers, France. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

Booklet for Ave Maria: First Vespers of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Buckfast