Music Notes: May 6th, 2012

Fifth Sunday Of Easter

In case you haven't noticed by now, the post-Easter Lectionary has been recalling stories and memories of Jesus before his arrest and crucifixion.  Looking at these stories in a post-Resurrection context sheds an interesting new light on them.

This week, we hear Jesus compare himself to a vineyard.  He describes himself as the vine, with God as the vine grower.  Just as God prunes the branches in order for them to bear more fruit, the words of Jesus have cleansed the disciples, enabling them to grow and flourish just as he has.  By not abiding in Jesus, it is though they are the pruned branch, which then dies and is burned. 

Also of importance this week is the reading from the Epistles.  1 John 15 tells us that the love of the world exists because God loved us first.  As such, we cannot claim to love God while hating other humans.  Therefore, we should all love each other as God has loved, and continues to love us.

HYMNS AND SONGS

Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen (Opening hymn- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)

Until his death in 2009, Dr. Herbert Brokering was a much loved, active contributor to both theological studies and the music ministry of the church.  A graduate of Wartburg College, he established a memorial fund at the college that still exists today.

The story behind this hymn "Alleluia! Jesus is Risen" is both interesting and extremely simple.  Dr. Brokering and St. Olaf graduate David Johnson were asked to collaborate on a hymn for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of St. Olaf College.  Their result was "Earth And All Stars," an exciting, joyful hymn with ties to Psalms 98 and 150, while including tips of the cap to academia (including the much loved but oft criticized phrase "loud boiling test tubes"). 

The results of this collaboration were obviously meaningful to the St. Olaf community, but there was a question of the widespread use and acceptance of this hymn in the future.  To counter this, Dr. Brokering created an original, Easter-based text that could be used with Johnson's excellent tune and be more suitable for church-wide use.

As is evident by the text, it is a joyful expression and reaction to the Easter story, focusing mainly on the celebration and pleasant consequences of the action itself.  Our Gospel for the weekend is alluded to in stanza three, claiming that the resurrection of Jesus, and the promise of salvation is the "gift of the future now flowing in me."

We Know That Christ Is Raised (Hymn of the Day- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)

Much like EARTH AND ALL STARS, Charles Stanford's tune ENGELBERG has been used for a variety of texts throughout the years.  English theologian John Geyer composed these stanzas in 1967 with the intention of setting them to ENGELBERG.

This hymn was created as a reaction to, of all things, artificial insemination.  Geyer was among many who rallied against the idea of "test tube babies," (n.b.- I never thought I would use the words "test tube" twice in one blog!!), and created this hymn to demonstrate the principle alluded to in Romans 6, where the apostle Paul teaches us that we are united with Christ through baptism and the resurrection.  Geyer further shares his opinion on the test tubes in stanza four, where he begins, "A new creation comes to life and grows as Christ's new body takes on flesh and blood." 

For The Fruit Of All Creation (Communion Hymn- 7:45 AM)

This 20th century hymn by English hymnologist and theologian Fred Pratt Green touches on our Gospel metaphor of growing vines and expands it, creating a stewardship emphasis based in thanks for all the plants and flowers of the world.

This message of thanks is summed up in an amazing closing to this hymn.  The conclusion to stanza three says, "For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God."  This love is the love spoken of in 1 John, the love that God shared with us that now is encouraged to share with one another.

Abide, O Dearest Jesus (Closing Hymn- 9:00 AM)

There are many "moods" to close a worship service with.  One of the most common ones is the feeling that this hymn leaves you with, that is, a sense of calling for God's presence to remain with us as we depart for the world.

The word abide is widely used throughout hymnology.  It is so frequently used that sometimes we don't even think of the meaning for it.  On the surface, it is actually quite simple.  It simply calls for Jesus to remain, stay, or continue along with us wherever we go.  Stanza four reflects a real life manifestation of our Gospel reading, where the love of God is portrayed through us, with grace and wisdom growing in us daily through the word of God.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 

Christ Arose!- John Ferguson (Prelude- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)

The source of this organ piece is a hymn that is not included in our ELW hymnal, though it can be found in several other Lutheran resources, including This Far By Faith.  Up From The Grave He Arose (also known as Lo, In The Grave He Lay), was composed by Robert Lowry in the mid 19th century.

John Ferguson's arrangement of this joyful Easter hymn begins very melancholy.  Open fifths in both hands, signifying an emptiness, are played with the tune quietly (almost inaudibly) sounding in the pedal.  Gradually the hymn grows until the refrain arrives in a joyful triumph of Christ over the grave.

EARTH AND ALL STARS- Keith Kolander (Postlude- 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM)

Traveling through many key areas, this dance-like interpretation of David Johnson's tune exudes the joy and triumph of the wonderful Brokering text.

The piece is in three parts, cast in ABA format (ie. the first and final parts are similar).  Fragments of the tune are heard in the pedal with a syncopated ostinato rhythm in the hands.  The B section is relegated to a solo reed with the tune heard in a more straight forward fashion.  The piece concludes as it began, concluding with a glorious poly-tonal chord.