Stephen Paulus (1949–2014) was a prolific American composer who wrote in a neo-Romantic style. Four of his operas were premiered by Opera Theater of St. Louis. “The Road Home” is one of his most popular choral pieces and was sung at the funeral of Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral earlier this year. The piece is based on the hymn tune “Prospect,” found in Southern Harmony (1835).

We continue our exploration of the music of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina with his motet “Ego sum panis vivus.” This motet has been sung at St. Peter’s at two summer services in the last decade, but this morning marks the first time in recent memory that it has been sung by the full choir. Palestrina, who is considered one of the best composers of the 16^th century, was born 500 years ago this year (though the exact date is uncertain). His career was mostly in Rome, but the name under which his music comes to us is the name of the town in which he was born in the nearby Sabine Hills: Palestrina.

The final hymn tune, “Ladue,” was commissioned by St. Peter’s from Steven Buzard, the Organist and Director of Music at St. James Cathedral, Chicago, as part of the celebration of the parish’s 150^th anniversary in 2018.