Cantabile Jersey

20/04/2026

29/01/2026

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina- Brittanica gives us a bit of an insight into this early composer.

His music will form part of our very beautiful Compline Service on the 10th Feb 2026 at 9pm in St Mary's Church.

Palestrina was born in a small town where his ancestors are thought to have lived for generations, but as a child he was taken to nearby Rome. In 1537 he was one of the choirboys at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he also studied music between 1537 and 1539. In 1544 Palestrina was engaged as organist and singer in the cathedral of his native town. His duties included playing the organ, helping with the choir, and teaching music. His pay was that of a canon and would have been received in money and kind. His prowess at the church there attracted the attention of the bishop, Giovanni Maria Ciocchi del Monte, who later became Pope Julius III.

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Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Italian Renaissance composer of more than 105 masses and 250 motets, a master of contrapuntal composition. His works were especially noted for their variety of form and type. Learn more about Palestrina’s life, music, and legacy.

22/01/2026

The Night Prayer by Lucy Walker & music by Palestrina.

Both can be listened to at our Compline service 10th Feb 2026 9pm St Mary's Church.

15/01/2026

We are looking forward to our serene Compline service at St Mary's Church on the 10th Feb 2026 at 9pm.

This is the first service of 2026 for Cantabile and one we look forward to after the joyous energies of the festive season.

Using the up to the minute trend of AI we thought we would ask it what phrase would be suitable to sum-up a Compline service.

Here's what our AI quoted....

"The Compline service, also known as Night Prayer, offers numerous positive qualities and can be described using words such as peaceful, reflective, beautiful, contemplative, and soothing."

"It connects with an ancient tradition: The service has roots in early monastic practices (dating back to the 6th century) and provides a sense of connection to a timeless rhythm of prayer observed by Christians for centuries."