Music Notes: January 15th, 2012

Confession Of Peter


This week, we are taking a slight break from the Epiphany lectionary and instead focusing on the disciple Peter.  In our Gospel reading this week, we bear witness to what is quite possibly the most pivotal moment in Peter's life.  Jesus asks his disciples who they think the son of God is, and when he gets to Simon Peter, he says, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God (Matthew 16:16)."  Jesus then declares that Peter is the Rock of Salvation, and he shall build his church on Peter, the cornerstone.


Christ Has Made The Sure Foundation (Opening Hymn: 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)


While Jesus calls Simon Peter the Rock of his eventual church, most Christians would consider Jesus the cornerstone of theirs.  While Peter was chosen by Jesus, Jesus was sent to us from God, binding us all together.  


In stanza two, we, as a community, come together and call Christ to us into our church.  In a way, the stanza almost describes the order of a church service.  The first phrase has the congregation calling Jesus to come and join us in our worship.  The second phrase asks Jesus to watch over us during our prayers of the day.  Finally, in phrase three, we are asking for a benediction to be left with us.


Built On A Rock (Hymn Of The Day: 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)


This striking, powerful text was written by the great Danish hymn writer, Nikolai Grundtvig.  He sets a rather apocalyptic tone in the first stanza.  Though the entire world is crumbling and falling around us, the cornerstone of the church stands tall, and calls the young and old souls of those distressed which long for life everlasting.


The three interior stanzas describe the church building itself, how it was not made solely by the hands of man, but rather crafted with the divine help of God.  Stanza three has a reference to Matthew 18:20, "Where two or three will seek his face, he in their midst will show his grace."


In the final stanza, the bells are ringing at the start of worship, and people flock in droves to come hear the word of God.  The hymn concludes with an allusion to John 14:27, "My peace I leave with you, Amen." 


The Church's One Foundation (Communion Hymn: 7:45 AM, Closing Hymn: 9:00 AM)


This is the closing hymn for all of our traditional worship services this week.  The text was composed by Samuel John Stone (1839-1900) in in the 1860's, and has a high influence from our Gospel reading today.  Throughout the hymn, the "church" is referred to in the feminine, symbolizing the union with Jesus, whom has built her up, provided the foundation, and enriched her for eternity by the shedding of his body and blood.  The hymn also alludes briefly to the Apostle's Creed in stanza five.  In line two, the phrase "mystic sweet communion" refers to the communion of saints from the creed.  The saints themselves are referenced both in stanza three and in the final line of the hymn, "...that we like saints before us, may see you face to face."  The strong tune, AURELIA, was composed by Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876), one of the most prolific hymn tune writers from the 19th century.  He is the grandson of one of the founders of Methodism, Charles Wesley.


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Just a quick word on Rejoice: Worship Renewed this week.  Rather than focusing on Peter being the cornerstone of the church, I've chosen to focus on Peter as a disciple.  The way that he was able to be a living reflection of Jesus and his ideology is reflected in the music this week.  The songs, such as "Here I Am, Lord," and "Make Me A Servant," call us to follow in the example of Peter and be disciples for the world, going forth and spreading the word.


INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC


Partita on WESTMINSTER ABBEY- Richard Proulx (Prelude- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)


This short, four movement work by 20th century church musician Richard Proulx displays the tune for "Christ Has Made The Sure Foundation" and presents it in four different ways.  The first movement uses the principals of the organ in a straightforward setting.  The second is in an early baroque style with the tune being presented in a solo reed.  The third is cast in a minor mode, typical of a partita.  The final movement is a trumpet tune, cast here as a duet.


Built On A Rock- Wilbur Held (Postlude- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)


This setting of the Danish folk tune presents the strong tune in a rather straightforward fashion.  The sense of a solid foundation is formed by the pervasive use of fourths throughout the piece.  The fourth and fifth, of course, are the foundations of music.  With the piece ending on a strong open fifth, it further emphasizes the message that the foundation of the church is solid and never to be toppled.