Adaptation of the motet 'Tristis est anima mea' attributed to Johann Kuhnau. The motet 'Der Gerechte kommt um' comes down to us as part of the Passion cantata 'Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld' by Carl Heinrich Graun into which movements by various other composers including Bach and Telemann were also later inserted. According to the research of Diethard Hellmann editor of this edition the motet was originally an a cappella composition by Johann Kuhnau with the text 'Tristis est anima mea' which then was adapted ? most likely by Bach ? with a new text and the addition of instrumental parts. The motet 'Der Gerechte kommt um' comes down to us as part of the Passioncantata 'Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld' by Carl Heinrich Graun into which movements by various other composers including Bach and Telemann were also later inserted. From the research of Diethard Hellmann editor of this edition the motet was originally an a cappella composition by Johann Kuhnau with the text 'Tristis est anima mea' which then was adapted?most likely by Bach?with a new text and the addition of insturmental parts.

This atmospheric anthem by Cecilia McDowall commemorates the First World War. It sets a stark English text by Dr Joseph Spence alongside Latin text from Psalm 130 with the words 'In memoriam' added. The lower parts sing Spence's English text conveying the relentless hardship of life in the trenches with declamatory and constantly developing vocal lines. The sopranos meanwhile repeat the Latin words from Psalm 130 providing a striking contrast in their constancy and otherworldliness.

This work for soprano solo and SATB chorus was commissioned by the Norwich Festival of Contemporary Church Music.Tavener:'In the Orthodox Church the Lament of the Mother of God is normally sung on Holy and Great Friday. Inits full length it lasts about half and hour and it is intoned by the Priest or Bishop while the people venerate the Epitaphios (or Shroud of the Dead Christ) which is in the centre of the church and decorated withflowers.The Lament must be sung with an ikon-like stillness and great purity. It grows in intensity as it climbs in tessitura but without anything sudden or remotely melodramatic.For the Orthodox Church there is never thesense of absolute desolation felt by the Western Church on Good Friday. Hence the cry of the Mother of God 'Dost thou change my grief to gladness by thy Resurrection?' followed by the full forces: 'Rise O God and judge theearth.'Mother of God also features in the film Philomena starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan and directed by Stephen Frears.