Abbeycast - A podcast for the Feast of the Annunciation Westminster Abbey

This 32-minute service includes prayers, a reading, an address, music and a blessing, recorded this week in the Abbey’s magnificent Chapter House.




Introduced by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor

Address by the Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian

Reader: Sarah Clarke OBE, Lady Usher of the Black Rod 





Ave Maris Stella from Le tombeau de Titelouze – Marcel Dupré

Introduction: The Reverend Mark Birch 

Reading: Luke 1: 26-38 Sarah Clarke


Prière à Notre Dame from Suite Gothique – Léon Boëllmann

Address: Canon Hawkey 

Anthem: Mater Christi sanctissima – John Taverner

Prayers and Blessing: The Reverend Mark Birch 


Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733 – JS Bach




Music: The anthem is performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). Organ music, which was specially recorded earlier this week, is played by Charles Maxtone-Smith, Organ Scholar.




This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.