It’s true that congregational song is the pre-eminent musical expression of the church. Our rich heritage of hymns and psalms proclaims the gospel beautifully.
It’s also true the church has always made space for music specially and carefully prepared by soloists, choirs, and instrumentalists. One extraordinary way this happens is through the performance of cantatas. Cantatas came on the church music scene in the 17th century and originally utilized instrumentalists and soloists. J. S. Bach elevated the genre in a marvelous way that included fantasias built on hymns. Then he augmented them with poetic and scriptural texts.
This year, on Palm/Passion Sunday, our Festival Choir will perform a modern work by David von Kampen. Like a Bach cantata, this one is based on Paul Gerhardt’s hymn “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth.” It’s clear that von Kampen took his lead from Bach in the structure of the work.
In addition to a choir, the work utilizes a tenor soloist, organ, and strings. Von Kampen uses the hymn as we are used to hearing it but also includes variations on the tune and new, lush, harmonies. The tenor soloist reminds us of a story from the Hebrew scriptures - the near sacrifice of Isaac. We hear Abraham's words that God will supply a lamb for the sacrifice. The choir answers this story with "This Lamb is Christ, the soul's great friend."
Join us, Passion Sunday (April 13th) at 9:30 AM for this moving work. Invite a friend to join you!
Join us, Passion Sunday (April 13th) at 9:30 AM for this moving work. Invite a friend to join you!
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| David von Kampen |
