Review: The Christian west and its singers, C. Page

I recently read a very favorable review of this book by Christopher Page, on the development of music notation and the advancement of organized singing in Christian churches to the Middle Ages. I wanted to read the book and then review it here for obvious reasons. Yet, as one can see on the publisher's site, the book is out of print. Which explains, I suppose why this is what I find for the book at Amazon.com. Yeah, that's a used copy for $711! Things were no better over at Barnes & Noble. New copies top out at about $3900!! Reckon I'll check it out from the library. It's kind of sad, though: the book is not quite 2 years from its publication date. And it's already out-of-print? What a rip!

+ + + (but dream on)

New hymn text

During Lent we will be exploring Jesus' relationship with several characters from the Bible. One of my goals has been to pair a hymn with each individual. One of the individuals to be considered is the slave whose ear was cut off in the garden of Gethsemane. Perhaps not surprisingly, there are no hymn texts on that particular Bible story of which I am aware. Therefore I commissioned Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, a Presbyterian pastor and hymn-writer of some renown to write a new text for us at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

The text is obviously protected by copyright, so while it may be possible to steal it from this post, please just do the right thing and don't. Contact Mike Barker for more information.

Gillette wrote the text with the hymn tune BEACH SPRING in mind. We hope, however, to create a new tune for the text and premiere the text and tune together. The first performance will be Sunday March 4. Gillette tells me that reference is made to this new text in Presbyterian Outlook as part of a promotion of the publication of a collection of new hymn texts she has written. Keep en eye out for that.

Jesus went out to a garden To a quiet place to pray.
In the night, a crowd came round him, Led by Judas on their way.
They seized Jesus to arrest him; Someone near then drew a sword.
Soon a slave was injured, suffering There beside our suffering Lord.

Jesus spoke to stop the violence: “Put your sword back in its place.”
Then he touched the slave and healed him In a moment filled with grace.
For as violence leads to violence Causing more distress and pain—
So compassion in abundance Is a witness to God’s reign.

God of love, we pause and wonder: Did that slave give quiet praise?
Yet the story marches onward With the pain that it portrays.
For the One who brought such healing Soon was broken, on a cross,
To our sinful world revealing Violence has an awful cost.

God, the gospels bear a witness: Your Son’s death was not the end.
By your grace, you raised up Jesus; Sin and violence did not win.
May we work to end all suffering; Lead us in Christ’s peaceful way.
May his peace become an offering That we share throughout each day

Music for worship 020512

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
I love you, Lord STF 2068)

Opening Song
Uyaimose (in F)
Praise to the Lord the Almighty (in F)

Confession
Jubilate, everybody

Scripture/Proclamation
Speak, O Lord

Offertory
Everlasting God

Doxology
Give thanks (STF 2236)

Closing Song
You shall go out with joy (STF 2279)

11 AM
Hymns
482, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (LOBE DEN HERREN)
2281, May you run and not be weary (PRINCE OF PEACE)
411, Arise, your light is come (FESTAL SONG)

Confession
Patterson, Alleluia, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven

Scripture
Hasidic Tune, Open your ears, O faithful people

Anthem
Marty Haugen, Eye has not seen
A setting of First Corinthians 2.9, 10
Libby Barker, Lynn Harmon

Doxology
OLD HUNDREDTH

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Florence B. Price, Arietta
Offertory: Allen Pote, Festive Praise
Sing to the Lord a song of praise, a wonderful marvelous song.
Sing to the Lord with joy in your heart, a wonderful, marvelous song.
Alleuia, amen!
Chancel Choir
Postlude: Adolphus Hailstork, Fugue in F Minor

Review: Glory, by Michael W. Smith

I bought the MP3 based on a favorable review in a recent issue of Christianity Today.

I thought the music would take one direction based on the title of the album. But it went another, and checking through the track names (Heroes, Glory Battle, The Tribute) I was struck by a very militaristic sound to most of the tracks. Those that weren't as military-sounding sounded very much like, well, tributes to fallen soldiers (and at least one part that sounded alarmingly like variations on a tune reminiscent of "Yankee Doodle Dandy.)

It's fine film music, sort of like music looking for a movie to go with. I could hear it paired with a Mel Gibson film quite easily.

Smith, being a pianist, features the piano quite a bit in his writing. There is little motific development in the symphonic writing. Mostly nice melodies begun in one instrument and then tossed around to others, the orchestra serving to punctuate and create transitions between iterations of the theme.

Nice music, but not a whole lot of substance; good background music for studying or reading.

+ +

Music for 012912

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Holy, holy, holy (STF 2007)
Cantad al senor (PH 472)

Opening Song
Alabare

Confession
Shalom chaverim

Prayers
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Offertory
Benton Brown, Hallelujah, your love is amazing

Closing Song
Shout to the Lord

11 AM
Hymns
487, When morning gilds the skies (LAUDES DOMINI)
326, Spirit of God, descend upon my heart (MORECAMBE)
425, Lord of light, your name outshining (EBENEZER)

Confession
579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Anthem
John Rutter, Thy perfect love
Jesu, my love, my joy, my rest, Thy perfect love close in my breast
That I thee love and never rest; And Make me love thee of all things best,
And wounde my heart in thy love free, that I may reign in joy evermore with thee.
Anonymous 15th century text

Prayers
Cambodian Lord’s Prayer

Doxology
OLD HUNDREDTH

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Sonatina, Isabella Hile, piano
Offertory: Mark Sedio, Voluntary on Kuortane
Postlude: WA Mozart, Allegro from Fantasia in F Minor

Music for January 22, 2012

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
You are worthy of my praise

Opening Song
Come, now is the time to worship

Confession
Dayenu

Offertory
Here is our King

Doxology
Give thanks (STF 2236)

Closing Song
I’m gonna live so God can use me (PH 369)

11 AM
Hymns
281, Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (CWM RHONDDA
282, If thou but trust in God to guide thee (WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT)
369, I’m gonna live so God can use me (I’M GONNA LIVE)

Confession
579, Glory be to the Father (GREATOREX)

Anthem
Handel, Hallelujah, Amen

Doxology
OLD HUNDREDTH

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: JS Bach, Wer nur den lieben Gott
Offertory: Max Reger, Wer nur den lieben Gott
Postlude: Improvisation: Wer nur den lieben Gott

Music for 011512

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
He knows my name
I give you my heart

Opening Song
Here I am to worship

Confession
Your mercy flows

Prayers
Amazing Grace (Alleluia)

Offertory
You alone

Doxology
Give thanks

Closing Song
I have decided to follow Jesus

11 AM
Hymns
306, Fairest, Lord Jesus (CRUSADERS’ HYMN)
305, Jesus, our divine companion (PLEADING SAVIOR)
2129, I have decided to follow Jesus (I HAVE DECIDED)

Confession
Purcell, Glory be to God the Father (WESTMINSTER ABBEY)

Anthem
Henry Purcell, Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts
…shut not thy merciful ears unto our prayer;
but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty,
O holy and most merciful Saviour,
thou most worthy Judge eternal,
suffer us not, at our last hour,
for any pains of death, to fall from thee.
Amen.

Doxology
OLD HUNDREDTH

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Gerre Hancock, Variations on Crusaders’ Hymn
Offertory: Henry Purcell, Rondeau
Postlude: Henry Purcell, Voluntary in C