FirstLight worship will begin this week with a presentation of “The Singing Bishop” by Hal Hopson. This mini-musical is a staple for children’s choirs. It tells the story of the origins of the hymn “All glory, laud and honor.” Bishop Theodulph was unjustly imprisoned in Angers, France in 821 for treason. He happened to be in prison over Palm Sunday. The story goes that when he heard the children’s procession go by his cell, he was moved to write the lyrics to this now familiar song. The king, hearing the new song immediately (according to custom) released Theodulph and asked him to finish leading the procession to the cathedral. The Prophets will sing the Hispanic song “Mantos y Palmas” at the offering. Worship will conclude with Darlene Zschesch’s “Worthy is the Lamb.”
Worship at 11 AM will begin with Bach’s festive 9/8 Prelude in C. My first recording of this piece was by E. Power Biggs who, in his liner notes for the LP (!!) suggested that the prelude felt somewhat like a parade given it’s triple-feel. Worship will conclude with the fugue from the same work, which Biggs described as a somewhat poignant letdown after the parade: the crowd is gone and the wind blows away the last wisps of festivity. For those reasons this work has always seemed to me to epitomize the festivity and ominous nature of Palm Sunday. The fugue is an incredible work: four parts for the hands. The pedals don't begin until much later than is usual in organ fugue writing. And when the feet do begin, they play the melody at twice its original speed, first in the melody's original progression and then inverted! The Prelude and Fugue both are very dramatic for their use of rests, absolute quiet at stunning moments.
Worship at 11 AM will begin with Bach’s festive 9/8 Prelude in C. My first recording of this piece was by E. Power Biggs who, in his liner notes for the LP (!!) suggested that the prelude felt somewhat like a parade given it’s triple-feel. Worship will conclude with the fugue from the same work, which Biggs described as a somewhat poignant letdown after the parade: the crowd is gone and the wind blows away the last wisps of festivity. For those reasons this work has always seemed to me to epitomize the festivity and ominous nature of Palm Sunday. The fugue is an incredible work: four parts for the hands. The pedals don't begin until much later than is usual in organ fugue writing. And when the feet do begin, they play the melody at twice its original speed, first in the melody's original progression and then inverted! The Prelude and Fugue both are very dramatic for their use of rests, absolute quiet at stunning moments.
The choir will sing Vaughan Williams’ setting of “At the name of Jesus,” a quintessential English anthem lauding the person and authority of Jesus Christ. Dancers, drums and children will all help us in worship on our opening hymn, “All glory, laud and honor” (VALET WILL ICH DER GEBEN). Other congregational songs will include “Ride on in majesty” (ST. DROSTANE) and “O Jesus I have promised” (ANGEL’S STORY).
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