A Celebration For Ascension Day

Episodes

First
Broadcast
Comments
20070517A service of celebration from the church of St Giles Cripplegate in the Barbican, London.
20080501A celebration from St Martin in the Fields in London. Preacher is Rev Dr Giles Fraser.
20100513

A Celebration for Ascension Day

The Very Revd June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury, is the preacher at this service live from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, celebrating Christ's ascension into heaven. Featuring music from Vivaldi's 'Gloria' sung by the BBC Daily Service Singers and St Martin's Choir with Sinfonia Britannica, directed by Andrew Earis.
Celebrant: The Revd Nicholas Holtam
Organist: Martin Ford
Producer: Simon Vivian.

Live service from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, with music from Vivaldi's Gloria.

20110602The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is the preacher at this service live from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, marking the day when Christians remember the departure of the risen Jesus from this earth, leaving his disciples with the promise of the gift of his Holy Spirit. Music by Haydn, Finzi and Vaughan Williams is sung by the BBC Daily Service Singers and the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields directed by Andrew Earis and accompanied by Martin Ford (organ) and members of the Southbank Sinfonia. The celebrant is the Vicar of St Martin's, the Revd Nicholas Holtam. Producer: Stephen Shipley.

The Archbishop of Canterbury preaches at a service from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

20120517John Rutter directs the BBC Daily Service Singers, the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Brass for a live Eucharist on Ascension Day from St Sepulchre's - the Musicians' Church - in London. Preacher: The Revd. Prof. Richard Burridge, Dean of King's College London; Celebrant: The Revd Rosemary Lain-Priestley. The music will be a setting of the Mass by Imogen Holst with anthems by John Rutter.

Producer: Mark O'Brien.

From St Sepulchre's Church London, featuring music by John Rutter and Imogen Holst.

20130509

Hundreds gather in the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields to celebrate Ascension Day, marking the day when Christians remember the departure of the risen Jesus from this earth, leaving his disciples with the promise of the gift of his Holy Spirit. Music includes extracts from J S Bach's B minor Mass sung by the BBC Daily Service Singers and the Choir of St Martin-in-the Fields directed by Richard Tanner and accompanied by Andrew Earis and members of Canzona. The preacher is the Lord Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James. The celebrant is the vicar of St Martin's, the Revd Dr Sam Wells. Producer: Clair Jaquiss.

From St Martin-in-the-Fields with the Lord Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James.

20140529

Hundreds gather in the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square to celebrate Ascension Day, marking the moment when the risen Jesus ascended into heaven, leaving his disciples with the joyful promise of the gift of his Holy Spirit.

Featuring Bob Chilcott's 'A Little Jazz Mass' sung by the BBC Daily Service Singers and the Choir of St Martin-in-the Fields directed by Bob Chilcott. Organist: Andrew Earis.

The preacher is Dominican Fr Timothy Radcliffe, author and former Master of the Order of Preachers.
The celebrant is the Vicar of St Martin's, the Revd Dr Sam Wells.
Producer: Simon Vivian.

From St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, with Fr Timothy Radcliffe.

20150514

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev'd and Rt Hon Justin Welby preaches at a service celebrating the Ascension of Jesus Christ live from the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London's Trafalgar Square. Leader: the Vicar, The Revd Dr Sam Wells. Hundreds of Radio 4 listeners gather to join the Daily Service Singers and the Choir of St Martin's, where the English Baroque architectural setting is complemented by the music of GF Handel, who inaugurated the original St Martin's organ in 1727. Excerpts from Handel's 'Utrecht Te Deum' and 'Messiah' - including the Hallelujah Chorus - reflect the majesty of Jesus' Ascension into Heaven to reign as King of Kings.

The archbishop of Canterbury is the preacher at a service celebrating Ascension Day.

20160505

"Since I am coming to that Holy roome, Where, with thy Quire of Saints for evermore, I shall be made thy Musique" (John Donne).
To mark the day on which Christians celebrate Jesus' Ascension into Heaven the Reverend Dr. Sam Wells leads a Eucharist live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Preacher, the Right Reverend James Jones, reflects on times when Heaven and Earth meet. Whether in the celebration of Holy Communion or in the creativity of music such as tonight's broadcast premier of Will Todd's brand new Jazz Missa Brevis, Christians believe our human existence is touched by the Divine in a multitude of ways. Favourite Ascension-tide hymns alongside music by Will Todd and John Rutter are performed by the Daily Service Singers and St. Martin's Voices, with the Will Todd Ensemble directed by Andrew Earis. Producer: Katharine Longworth.

The Right Reverend James Jones preaches at a service for Ascension Day.

20170525

The Rt Revd David Walker is the preacher at a service for Ascension Day, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields led by the vicar, the Revd Dr Sam Wells.

Music is provided by the Daily Service Singers, the St Martin's Voices Fellows and Southbank Symphonia as they perform Haydn's dramatic and majestic Paukenmesse. Hundreds of Radio 4 listeners will be joined in the church by on-air talent and broadcasters who will lead various parts of the service.

A service for Ascension Day from St Martin-in-the-Fields.

20180510

Mozart's joyful 'Sparrow' Mass live from St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. The Bishop of Llandaff, the Right Revd June Osborne, finds inspiration for life today in this ancient Christian festival. The Eucharist is celebrated by the Vicar, the Reverend Dr Sam Wells, and the music - also including compositions by Finzi and Colin Mawby - is provided by the Daily Service Singers, St Martin's Voices, and the Choir of St Martin-in-the-Fields. Hundreds of Radio 4 listeners join the choir, accompanied by trumpets drums and string orchestra for the Ascensiontide hymns Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia sing to Jesus, and Eternal Monarch, King most high. They are joined in the church by broadcasters and radio contributors who will lead various parts of the service. Producer: Ben Collingwood.

Mozart's joyful 'Sparrow' Mass live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

20190530

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell is the preacher at a service for Ascension Day, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. It's led by the vicar, the Reverend Dr Sam Wells, and the music - including a premiere of Bob Chilcott's Samba Mass - is provided by the BBC Radio 4 Daily Service Singers and St Martin's Voices. Hundreds of Radio 4 listeners join the choir, for the Ascensiontide hymns Hail the day that sees him rise, The head that once was crowned with thorns, Christ Triumphant Ever Reigning and Crown Him with Many Crowns. They are joined in the church by broadcasters and radio contributors who will lead various parts of the service. Producer: Alexa Good.

A service for Ascension Day live from St Martin-in-the-Fields.

20200521

Every year Radio 4 listeners fill the pews of St Martin-in-the-Fields for Radio 4's broadcast celebration of Ascension Day. But this year is different. As congregations gather remotely, this is a different kind of service constructed from contributions from people across the country recording from their own homes. It's a celebration but also a time to reflect on the present and find hope for the future.

Novelist and priest, the Revd Marie-Elsa Bragg offers a series of reflective meditations. She explores the fundamental place of physical touch in human experience and considers the nature of relationships built at a distance. She reflects on how people approach death, grief and despair, and provides a poetic vision of the future which acknowledges the triumphant power of love.

The service, led by the Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Revd Dr Sam Wells, is a tapestry of words and music. It culminates in a new recording of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus featuring the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and voices of Radio 4 listeners recorded from their own homes in lock-down around the country. This virtual choir experience allows singers to upload their own recordings singing with the BBC Philharmonic, to create a national choir created especially for this broadcast.

At a time when musicians cannot assemble, the BBC Philharmonic, the Daily Service Singers, St Martin's Voices and the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields are also brought together, recording remotely, to create unique versions of hymns and anthems for Ascension Day. The director of music is Andrew Earis, the organist is Graham Eccles and the hymns have been arranged by Darius Battiwalla. Additionally, songwriters, David and Yvonne Lyon have recorded music especially for the service, bringing a sense of tranquillity and reflection.

Producer: Katharine Longworth

A celebration for Ascension Day led by the Revd Dr Sam Wells and the Revd Marie-Elsa Bragg

20210513

The Chief Executive of Christian Aid, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi is the preacher at a service for Ascension Day, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The celebrant at the Eucharist is the vicar, the Rev'd Dr Sam Wells, and the music - provided by St Martin's Voices - includes Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass, and the Ascensiontide hymns Hail the day that sees him rise, and Crown Him with Many Crowns. They are joined in the church by broadcasters and radio contributors who will lead various parts of the service. Director of Music: Andrew Earis. Producer: Ben Collingwood.

Amanda Khozi Mukwashi preaches at a service, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields.

20220526

The Dean of Chapel at Trinity College, Cambridge, the Revd Dr Michael Banner is the preacher at a service for Ascension Day, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The celebrant at the Eucharist is the vicar, the Revd Dr Sam Wells, and the music - provided by St Martin's Voices, the London Mozart Players and the BBC Young Chorister of the Year, Ruby - includes Schubert's Mass in G Major, and the Ascensiontide hymns Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia, sing to Jesus and Crown Him with Many Crowns. They are joined in the church by the Venerable Rosemarie Mallett, Dr Krish Kandiah, Lyndall Bywater and Canon Ann Easter who will lead various parts of the service. Director of Music: Andrew Earis. Producer: Alexa Good.

A service for Ascension Day, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

20230518

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, is the preacher at a service for Ascension Day, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

The celebrant at the Eucharist is the vicar, the Revd Dr Sam Wells, and the music - provided by St Martin's Voices and the BBC Young Chorister of the Year, Runner Up, Luca - includes Don Gillthorpe's Jazz Missa Brevis, and the Ascensiontide hymns Hail the day that sees him rise, and Crown Him with Many Crowns.

They are joined in the church by Rev Imogen Ball, Chine McDonald, Dr Krish Kandiah and Rev Michaela Youngson who will lead various parts of the service.

The Director of Music is Andrew Earis.

Producer: Alexa Good

A service for Ascension Day, live from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.