Alma Redemptoris Mater (Choral) [Preceded by the ringing of the Great Carillon]

Today, August 15th is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, which was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. It is a major feast day, and marked as a Holy Day of Obligation.

Hermann Schroeder (26 March 1904 – 7 October 1984) was a German composer and a Catholic church musician. He was born in Bernkastel and spent the greatest part of his life’s work in the Rheinland. His mother's family had common ancestry with Beethoven. His main sphere of activity as composer, conductor and organist were supplemental to his work as a professor of choral conducting, counterpoint, and composition. He was organist at the cathedral in Trier. He remained in this post until the end of the war, adding the position of director of the Trier School of Music in 1940.

He is one of the most important German composers of the 20th century for organ. His music combines elements of the Middle Ages (fauxbourdon, ostinato technique, Gregorian modes), 20th-century polyphony and the linear, atonal writing of Hindemith.

Schroeder died on 7 October 1984 in Bad Orb.

A photo of Hermann Schroeder is attached below.

"Die Marianischen Antiphone" were published by Schott in 1954. There are four "movements," of which the third, "Alma redemptoris mater" (Choral) is the shortest. It is a quietly-quirky and mystical work, which you will either find very moving and deeply spiritual, or something you will not like at all.

I preceded the piece by a "ring" on the great carillon. I made up a sort of ostinato which rings in between phrases of the melody. At the end, the great bourdon gives it's mighty toll, and then the hour is rung.

So, what time is it?

Well, I was going to do 11AM, since this is often the time the great Masses and morning services take place. However, as I was doing it, I decided that I had better go ahead and ring high-noon.

Why?

Well, the answer is an easy one - because it's later than you think...