Brahms

This morning’s music is built around the Anthem selection: a movement from the monumental choral orchestral work of Johannes Brahms – ‘A German Requiem’ – written, almost certainly, as a tribute to his Mother. We offer the fifth movement, for soprano solo and chorus – setting passages from John, Ecclesiastes and Isaiah which liken the care of God to the care of a Mother. The work is sacred, but non-liturgical – unlike most Requiem settings – with movements that cannot be used as music for the ‘ordinary’ segments of the Roman Catholic Mass. This piece uses various scriptures in a German translation – hence the title… ‘Ein Deutches Requiem’

We are, however, using a very good English translation this morning, reprinted for you in the bulletin. Our presentation today with piano and violin is a pale but sincere transcription of the orchestral material! Many thanks to Teruhiko Toda, a native of Tokyo who is in Houston to study the English language, for filling in at the piano – Teruhiko has an extremely broad background as an opera and song accompanist, and I an pleased that he is here.

Ever since I found out that Sonja Harasim grew up here at St. Philip I have wanted her to come and share her gifts with us on a Sunday morning. Sonja is one of the really wonderful young American violinists – currently studying at Rice University – where she is not only one of the Concertmasters [first chair, first violins – the leader of the orchestra…], but is the most recent winner of the prestigious ‘Concerto Competition’ there… As a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician, Sonja has toured the United States, China, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Lithuania, Armenia, and Russia. She has a very promising career ahead of her!

At the offertory, Sonja and I play the middle ‘movement’ from the Brahms A Major Sonata – actually a collection of little episodes – slow, fast, slow, fast, etc…

I am, as always, thrilled with the patient and good work of Maggie Dement and the Kids Bell Choir!

Our organist, Matthew Dirst, is down at the Hobby Center this morning, engaged in final dress rehearsals for the the Ars Lyrica Houston season-ending blowout. At 5:00pm this afternoon, in the Zilkha Hall, he and his superb band of players and singers offer the Houston premiere G. F. Handel’s very first oratorio, ‘Il Trionfo del Tempo,’ or ‘The Triumph of Time and Truth…’ This production features Melissa Givens, Ava Pine, Gerrod Pagenkopf and Joe Gaines. NOT to be missed. Tickets at the door, or by calling 713-315-2525.

Remember, Summer Choir is just around the corner. Come one, come all. Show up in the Choir Room at 10:29 every Sunday and help us lead worship! It’s a rewarding ministry – as well as a great deal of fun…

-Keith Weber