Hallelujah!

Tomorrow night my daughter and I are going to hear Handel's Messiah sung by Brisbane Chamber Choir. Details are here.

The full libretto is here. It is a masterful sythesis of Old and New Testaments. One of my favourite pieces is

(Alto &) soprano

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
(Isaiah 40: 11)
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(Matthew 11: 28-29)

Haydn's Creation in Brisbane

The Creation by Haydn will be presented by Chordiality, with selected soloists, at the Ian Hanger Recital Hall, Queensland Conservatorium, South Bank, on Sunday 23 May at 2.00 pm. $18 and concessions. For bookings, call 3818 0017.

Christmas carols in St. Lucia

An amazing Creation

Last night I went to the much anticipated (at least by me!) performance of Haydn's Creation by the Queensland Symphony and the Canticum Chamber Choir. I was relieved to find it was in English not German.

It was fantastic! There is no substitute for a live performance with good acoustics. Maybe I was sitting in an acoustic "sweet spot" in the concert hall. The clarity of the diction and symphonic notes was wonderful.

As Adam and Eve reflect on the amazing created world in which they have been placed, the chorus breaks forth:

Hail, bounteous Lord! Almighty, hail!

Thy word call'd forth this wondr'rous frame.

Thy powe'r adore the heav'n and

earth; we praise thee now and evermore.

Responding to Creation

I really looking forward to hearing Haydn's Creation performed by the Queensland Orchestra and the Canticum Chamber Choir in two weeks.

The libretto is a brilliant synthesis of the text of Genesis 1-2, Psalm 19 and 104, and Milton's Paradise Lost. Program notes from a New York Philharmonic performance, including parallel German and English libretto texts are available here. I have a CD recording which uses the version of the English libretto, updated by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker.

This morning I enjoyed listening to the beginning. After recounting various acts of creation there is a solo and/or chorus. For example,

Gabriel
What wonder doth his work reveal
to heavens host in joyful throng,
and loud resounds throughout the skies
the praise of God and of the Second Day.

Chorus
And loud resounds throughout the skies
the praise of God and of the Second Day.

As a scientist who ponders and marvels at the physical world this should be my response to what I see. That is the most important way to relate science and theology!

Les Miserables

My wife, Robin and I are quite excited that the musical Les Miserables is going to be performed next month on the UQ campus in Brisbane. It will be performed by the Ignations Musical Society.
We first heard it (in English) a few years ago and then brought the CD and a DVD.
It is an amazing story of grace in action. I will write more later....

The Creation

One of my favourite pieces of music is The Creation by
Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809).
The libretto is a brilliant synthesis of the text of Genesis 1-2, Psalm 19 and 104, and Milton's Paradise Lost. I have a wonderful CD recording which uses the version of the English libretto, updated by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. Here is some:

In shining splendour, radiant now the sun bestrides the sky;
a wondrous, joyful bridegroom,
a giant proud and glad,
he runs his ordered course
With softer steps and wistful shimmer,
steals the moon through still enshadowed night.
The boundless vaults of heaven's domain
shine with unnumbered magnitude of stars.
And the sons of God rejoiced in the Fourth Day
in chorus divine, praising God's great might, and saying:
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
with wonders of his work resounds the firmament.

I sometimes (naively) think that if everyone read Genesis 1-3, along with Barth's detailed exegesis in Church Dogmatics 3.1, and listened to this music that most of the controversy about the relationship between science and the Bible would dissipate very quickly.

I am puzzled that the commentary that comes with my CD states, the composition is "a document of Enlightenment religious beliefs and attitudes." I fail to see how this is the case, given the fidelity to the Biblical text.

I am quite excited that in Brisbane in November the whole work will be performed by the Queensland Orchestra and the Canticum Chamber Choir. (I just hope it is not in German.)
Listening will be better than trying to sing to my dear wife:

Now is our duty well fulfilled;
our maker have we duly thanked.
Now follow me, companion of my life!
Thy guide I'll be, and every step
wakes new delight within my breast,
shows wonders everywhere.
Then surely thou shalt know
what boundless realms of joy the Lord hath given us.
His praise we everymore,
him serve with heart and mind.
Come, follow me! Thy guide I'll be.

One of my favourite pieces of church music

A couple of years ago I was introduced to the wonderful world of classical church choral music. I bought a CD of St. John's Passion, composed by J.S. Bach (the inspiration for the name of this blog!). The rich interplay of theology, melody, Biblical text, harmony, intensity, creativity, and personal reflection embodies an incredible creative work. I was delighted my daughter has invited me to a forthcoming performance by the Brisbane Chamber Choir.
The work tells the story of Jesus’ capture, interrogation and the events leading up to his crucifixion and burial. The complete words are available here.

Appropriately, Good Friday (April 10) is the performance date.
St John’s Cathedral, Ann Street, Brisbane is the location.
Time is 7pm. Cost is FREE!