Music Notes: July 8th, 2012

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost


Last week's visit by the Strickert's last week brings an interesting perspective to this week's Gospel reading. In Mark 6, Jesus returns home after a long journey throughout the land.  As he was preaching on the Sabbath, the people were perplexed by his words rather than being moved or inspired by them.  After all, they knew him as a simple carpenter, and here he was making all these proclamations.

He is not deterred however.  He sends his disciples two by two to the surrounding villages, instructing them to heal and make anew anyone they come across, while ignoring the doubters.

PRELUDE


Aria No. 4 and Variations from Hexachordium Apollonis- Johann Pachelbel (Prelude- 9:00 AM)

While Pachelbel wrote an extensive amount of organ music, his Hexachordium Apollonis is likely his largest, most expansive work.  Translating as the "Six Strings of Apollo," it is a set of six arias, each with somewhere between 5 and 8 variations.

Published in 1699, it was dedicated to Dietrich Buxtehude and Ferdinand Tobias Richter.  Pachelbel included a rather long preface to the work, where he discussed the nature of music, including it coming from the celestial heavens.  Pachelbel rarely included this type of language in his secular music, which indicates that he considered these six arias and variations to be sacred works.

OPENING HYMN


In Christ Called To Baptize (Opening Hymn- 9:00 AM)

Ruth Duck, the author of this text, is professor of worship at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, in Evanston, Ill.  She is a widely published author of a variety of hymn texts.

This text, set to the Welsh tune commonly associated with "Immortal, Invisible," we see three important elements of our church normally associated with Christ's life reflected in our own.  As Christ baptized, we ourselves are baptized and given thanks for life with each of our breaths.  When Christ shared meals with his disciples, it creates a haven of welcome where we are all able to share in one bread.  Finally, the discipleship of Christ calls us to live in grace and compassion, reflecting Christ's ways.

HYMN OF THE DAY 


We Walk By Faith (Hymn of the Day- 9:00 AM)

This traditional text composed by English hymn writer Henry Alford in the mid 19th century was given an overhaul in the mid 1980's with a new tune by Marty Haugen.

The general message of this hymn is that even though we cannot tangibly see Jesus directly in the world, it is our faith that connects us to him.  There are surely times when unbelief or doubt permeates our life.  Stanza three gives us inspiration when that happens.  We need not be ashamed if doubt creeps into our mind.  We can ask God for help with our unbelief, which will hopefully cause our faith to abound and call on Christ when necessary.

The hymn comes full circle at the conclusion, as we finally are able to behold God with our sight after our life of faith is done.

COMMUNION HYMNS


Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am (Communion Hymn- 9:00 AM)

John Bell is an important musical representative of the Iona Community out of Scotland, which is an ecumenical gathering of Christians of many types from all over the world.

This short refrain is in the style of Taize, with a short refrain using an accessible, harmonized melody.  The refrain quotes Song of Solomon, and is a prayer to God that we be accepted in our many forms and types.

The Son Of God, Our Christ (Communion Hymn- 9:00 AM)

Earlier, our hymn of the day cast an old text into a brand new tune.  This hymn does the opposite, where a new text composed by Ed Blumenfeld was set to a slightly older tune.  Though it was composed in the 20th century, this tune carries many of the characteristics of 19th century hymn tune writing.  The melody itself is a little on the uninteresting side, but combining it with a beautiful four part harmony makes the tune come alive.

The first two stanzas of this hymn start in the past, where Jesus' recruitment of his disciples formed the basis of Christianity.  Fast forward to our time, where Christ dares us to follow boldly in his name and continue the work throughout the world.

We All Are One In Mission (Communion Hymn- 9:00 AM)

This hymn continues where the previous one left off.  Here we take the responsibility Christ challenges us with, where we rise united and share our various gifts throughout the world.  Though we all may have different goals with our ministry, our purpose is the same, that we may be able to touch the lives of others with the grace of God so the entire world can feel the warm embrace of God.

OFFERING


Bruyeres- Claude Debussy (Offering- 9:00 AM)

Claude Debussy's 2 books of 12 preludes each have become standards in the piano repertoire.  Unlike most standard piano sheet music, the titles of these pieces were actually included at the ends of the works in the original publications.  Debussy did this intentionally so a performer could then reflect on what he intended the piece to be about, rather than having that preconceived notion in their minds at the beginning.

The title Bruyeres is actually a town in Eastern France.  Cast in an ABA form, it uses a pentatonic melody, heard at the beginning of the piece, as a base for the entire work.

POSTLUDE


ST. DENIO- David Cherwien (Postlude- 9:00 AM)

David Cherwien is known throughout the nation as one of the finest church musicians, organists, worship leaders, and organ composers in the country.  His organ works are known for their high level of difficulty.  It's simply natural for one to write music with themselves in mind, and Dr. Cherwien is certainly one of the more capable organists in the country.

This arrangement casts the ST. DENIO tune beneath a florid, contrapuntal arrangement in the hands which is almost a two part invention.  The work in the hands could almost stand on its own, and the use of the tune in the bass ups the creativity factor even more.