Deux Antiennes ("Maria!" / "Rabboni!")

Today is Holy Saturday - the "in-between day" when the Church mourns the sorrowful death of the Savior, yet awaits his joyful Resurrection.

These two antiphons were composed by Dom Paul Benoit, O.S.B. (1893-1979), an organist, composer, and Roman Catholic priest, who lived as a member of the Benedictine community at the Abbey of St. Maurice et St. Maur, at Clervaux, in Luxembourg. Dom Paul Benoit's compositions never leave the realm of tonality, albeit often modal. His works frequently draw from the melodies of Gregorian chant, making them easily palatable by all ears. Dom Paul acknowledged the influence of the French impressionist works of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel upon his organ compositions.

They depict the meeting of Mary Magdalene and the risen Jesus. Jesus greets Mary by saying her name, "Maria!," and she in startled surprise responds with "Rabboni!" (Master or Teacher.)

They are taken from "Esquisses Liturgiques," published by J. Fischer & Bro. in 1963.

Because these are brief works, I've "combined" the two pieces together into a single upload.

Pictures of Dom Benoit, as well as of the Abbey of St. Maurice et St. Maur, at Clervaux, in Luxembourg are attached below.

I'll be uploading at least one larger work by Dom Paul Benoit during the coming week.