I would first like to apologize for my late entry this week. On Thursday and Friday, Stephanie and I were in Minnesota, where we attended the St. Olaf Christmas Festival, spent some time at Mall of America, and went to visit my mom.
If you are not going to Christmas With Wartburg on Sunday, I would highly recommend you attend a simulcast of the Christmas Festival. Unfortunately, the closest venue is in Iowa City, but I think it would be worth the drive. More information can be found here. http://www.stolaf.edu/simulcast/#
The journey through Advent continues this Sunday at St. Paul's. Through both Isaiah and the Gospel of Mark, we hear two very important messages of Advent. Isaiah tells us that every valley should be exalted, every mountain made low, the rough places plain, and the crooked straight, and both prophets tell us to prepare the way of the Lord, for he is coming soon.
HYMNS AND SONGS
Comfort, Comfort Now My People (Opening Hymn- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, Scripture Song- 11:15 AM)
These three stanzas are a direct paraphrase of the first verses of Isaiah 40. We are singing this text at both of our services this week, but using two different tunes. The 7:45 AM/9:00 AM tune is a Renaissance dance from the mid-16th century known as FREU DICH SEHR. Like most dance-like melodies of the period, it is not set in a standard meter, but rather it can be thought of in groups of two and three quarter notes. For example, the first line is 3+3+2+2+2 done twice. Essentially it is twelve total beats, divided down the middle into two groups of three and three groups of two, respectively. For conducting purposes, it can best be divided into a 6/8 bar plus a 3/4 bar. Despite this all sounding very technical and possibly confusing, the tune itself is very singable. As you sing, let it be light, energetic, and rhythmic.
Prepare the Royal Highway (Hymn of the Day- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, Offering Song- 11:15 AM)
This is yet another hymn that we will be using at both services, but this time, it will be the same tune, a 17th century Swedish folk tune. Like the first hymn, this is a paraphrase direct from our scriptures of the day, both Isaiah and the Gospel of Mark. The scripture itself is made reference to at the conclusion of stanza one, "...foretold in sacred story."
While this hymn is traditionally heard at Advent, it is also appropriate for Palm Sunday. The "arrival of Christ" text is generalized enough that it is appropriate for both occasions, particularly with stanza two, "Palm branches strew before him! Spread garments! Shout and sing!"
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry (Communion Hymn- 7:45 AM, Closing Hymn- 9:00 AM)
I feel that one of the more overlooked figures in the Advent story is John the Baptist. After all, he was the one that announced that Jesus was on his way, and he also recognized the young baby when he was brought to the temple by Mary and Jesus.
This hymn is all about John the Baptist's announcement that the Lord is coming. Stanza two, once again references the prophet Isaiah, "Make straight the way for God within." Stanza three mentions what the world would be like if Christ would not come, and stanza four touches on a very important theme of Advent... the light of Christ enveloping the world. The concluding stanza delivers a trinitarian doxology.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
FREU DICH SEHR- Gerald Near (Prelude- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)
Gerald Near's setting of this Renaissance dance maintains the dance-like quality of the tune, but stretches the chorale itself out a little further. Statements of each phrase are separated by sixteenth note imitations, usually starting in the right hand.
Improvisation on Prepare the Royal Highway (Postlude- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)
While I was planning on preparing Paul Manz's setting of this chorale, I decided just today (Saturday) that our organ couldn't quite handle the setting, so instead I will improvise on this great Swedish tune. Due to the structure, harmonies, and rhythm of the tune, it lends itself very nicely to improvisation.
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Once again, I apologize for both the lateness and shortness of this article. Stay tuned next week for a special edition of Music Notes, featuring information on the choral-led Advent Festival, this year titled "Shine In Our Hearts, Lord Jesus."
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