pipes3

Facade of the organ at St. Philip’s. From the Southern Arizona AGO chapter website.

J.S. Bach: “Christ Lag in Todesbanden” (Orgelbuchlein), BWV 625
Matthew Whitehouse, organ

Holtkamp organ
St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson
Recording courtesy St. Philip’s in the Hills


Candlelit church at the beginning of the Great Vigil of Easter. From Wikipedia.

Candlelit church at the beginning of the Great Vigil of Easter. From Wikipedia.

Matthew Whitehouse:
…for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King: A Fantasy on the Exsultet
Matthew Whitehouse, organ

Holtkamp organ
St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson
Recording courtesy St. Philip’s in the Hills

…for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King is a fantasy on the Exsultet chant as it appears in the Episcopal Church’s 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The Exsultet, an ancient Easter proclamation, is sung in candlelight at the opening of the Great Vigil of Easter, the first and principal celebration of Christ’s Resurrection in many liturgical churches.

Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,
and let your trumpets shout Salvation
for the victory of our mighty King.

Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth,
bright with a glorious splendor,
for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.

Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church,
and let your holy courts, in radiant light,
resound with the praises of your people.
(Book of Common Prayer, 1979)


Spire of Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, UK. Photograph by Matthew Whitehouse, 28 October 2010.

Spire of Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury, UK. Photograph by Matthew Whitehouse, 28 October 2010.

Herbert Howells: Saraband for the Morning of Easter
Matthew Whitehouse, organ

Schoenstein organ
Holsclaw Hall, The University of Arizona, Tucson
Recording by Doug Thompson