Exsultet - how much to sing?

Aravis

I’ve volunteered to be cantor for the Exsultet at the Easter Vigil this year, but hadn’t realised it is nearly 8 pages of plainchant! I don’t think the congregation will want me to sing for that long. Could anyone advise which parts it would be acceptable to miss out? We haven’t used it for a few years and the vicar isn’t sure.

Arethosemyfeet

Versions I've seen have a section bracketed, suggesting it could be left out.

angloid

Why would you want to miss anything out unless you think your voice isn't up to it? Common worship has alternative settings: see https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/times-and-seasons-6#p410 [scroll down]. One of them is drastically shortened which might be your answer, though IMHO it would be a pity. There is also a version which could be sung to a hymn tune like Woodlands. Or it would be feasible just to proclaim in a spoken voice the main text, interspersed with a sung response.

If you want to use the traditional plainchant, which is beautiful, you probably need to sit down with your vicar and a discreet pencil, to edit it suitably.

BroJames

Might you just sing the bidding with the rest of the prayer said?

Aravis

I’d like to use the traditional plainchant, and my voice is probably up to it, but I’m not sure the congregation will want to listen while I sing the whole thing.
We have a modern building with indifferent acoustics. Until a few years ago we had two churches; it was the other building which had a choir and a good organ, and where the Easter Vigil would be held for the whole parish.
I’ll check the shortened version from your link and work something out from that - thanks.

Piglet

I've been asked to sing it at St Pete's, and like Aravis I was horrified at how much of it there is.

Despite my forty-mumble years in church music, I don't know that I've ever heard it, let alone sung it!

When I voiced my doubts, the Rector (who has a decent alto voice) suggested we both sing it; I'm not at all sure how that'll work out.

It didn't help that the manuscript I was shown was practically illegible ...

The_Riv

I wouldn’t pare it down at all, particularly based on a thing as fickle as congregational attention span. It’s the Vigil Mass of the Highest Feast we have — people ought to gear-up for that & understand that they are bringing themselves to Something, and not the other way around.

Sojourner

Seconded.

It moves fast and if you listen carefully it commands all your attention.

My erstwhile choir director Madame la Directrice has a fine tenor voice and a sound knowledge of chant; I have listened for 30 years and will never tire of it.

BroJames

Piglet wrote: »

I've been asked to sing it at St Pete's, and like Aravis I was horrified at how much of it there is.

Despite my forty-mumble years in church music, I don't know that I've ever heard it, let alone sung it!

When I voiced my doubts, the Rector (who has a decent alto voice) suggested we both sing it; I'm not at all sure how that'll work out.

It didn't help that the manuscript I was shown was practically illegible ...

@Piglet, I have a copy of the Plainsong & Mediaeval Music Society’s Services in Holy Week (1952 reprint of 1933 edition - mainly the work of G.H. Palmer and Bp. W.H. Frere). If you PM me I could send you scans of the relevant pages. Alternatively the RSCM sells, as a digital download plainchant music for the text in Common Worship: Times and Seasons for a mere £4.30.

Alan29

The better performances I have heard have been when it has been sung at a normal reading speed and phrased as the text dictates. The least successful have been where the text has been sung with every syllable equally stressed without meaning. It is a song of great joy and should be sung that way, not like a dirge.
There are plenty of versions on line including some with congregational responses that break it up and keep the congregation engaged for those willing to use the RC text.

angloid

Alternatively the RSCM sells, as a digital download plainchant music for the text in Common Worship: Times and Seasons for a mere £4.30.
[/quote]
First question is, are you going to be using the original Latin, the pseudo-Cranmerian of 19th century adaptations, or modern English?
If the latter, and assuming you are C of E (other Anglican provinces presumably have their own versions), the plainchant version is available for free on the Common Worship website. I don't know if the RSCM add any bells and whistles to this (they come later in the service!!!) to make the charge worthwhile.

BroJames

A good point, and I don’t know either. Here’s the link for the relevant Common Worship page.

Bishops Finger

I think it's likely to be said at Our Place (we barely get a Baker's Dozen to the Vigil ), but it will include the Bees - Madam Sacristan will insist on that...

FWIW, I quite like the metrical version to Woodlands.

Oblatus

Sojourner wrote: »

Seconded.

It moves fast and if you listen carefully it commands all your attention.

My erstwhile choir director Madame la Directrice has a fine tenor voice and a sound knowledge of chant; I have listened for 30 years and will never tire of it.

I was relied on to sing it in a previous parish for several years (although every year I reminded the rector it's meant for a deacon or priest), and our version (BCP 1979) seemed to go by all too quickly, probably because I was enjoying it and got into a groove only to have it end.

Cyprian

Aravis wrote: »

I don’t think the congregation will want me to sing for that long.

Does. Not. Compute.

Piglet

Thanks for the offer, @BroJames, but I think Rev'd Rosie's found a version she thinks will work. Heaven knows when I'm going to learn it, as she forgot to bring it to church on Sunday ... 😳