“Nunc Dimittis” is the Latin name for the prayer the old man Simeon says when he picks up the Christ Child in the temple. It has been a part of Compline, the liturgical Night Prayer of the Church, for many centuries. Gustav Holst's setting is heavily influenced by sixteenth century masters of polyphony William Byrd and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

Blog Post: https://spesindomino.org/2021/02/01/music-for-the-presentation-of-our-lord-holsts-nunc-dimittis/