P. Gregor Schreyer (1719 - 1767) was a German composer,
Music Teacher, Organist and Andechs monk. He ccomposed
eight masses and among other events helf a major
theological disputation at the Andechs pilgrimage
church.
On weekdays that are not major feasts Vespers features
hardly any ceremonies and the celebrant wears the usual
choir dress. However, on Sundays and greater feasts
Vespers may be solemn. Solemn Vespers differ in that
the celebrant wears the cope, he is assisted by
assistan...(+)
P. Gregor Schreyer (1719 - 1767) was a German composer,
Music Teacher, Organist and Andechs monk. He ccomposed
eight masses and among other events helf a major
theological disputation at the Andechs pilgrimage
church.
On weekdays that are not major feasts Vespers features
hardly any ceremonies and the celebrant wears the usual
choir dress. However, on Sundays and greater feasts
Vespers may be solemn. Solemn Vespers differ in that
the celebrant wears the cope, he is assisted by
assistants also in copes, incense is used, and two
acolytes, a thurifer, and at least one master of
ceremonies are needed. On ordinary Sundays only two
assistants are needed while on greater feasts four or
six assistants may be used. The celebrant and
assistants vest in the surplice and the cope, which is
of the color of the day. The celebrant sits at the
sedile, in front of which is placed a lectern, covered
with a cloth in the color of the day. The assistants
sit on benches or stools facing the altar, or if there
are two assistants, they may sit at the sedile next to
the celebrant (the first assistant in the place of the
deacon and the second assistant in place of the
subdeacon).
The psalms and hymns of the Vespers service have
attracted the interest of many composers, including
Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Vivaldi, Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, and Anton Bruckner. (Sergei Rachmaninoff's
"Vespers" is really a setting of the Eastern Orthodox
all-night vigil.)
Although this work was originally written for Chorus
and Organ, I created this arrangement for Strings
(Violins (2), Viola & Cello) & Acoustic Piano.