Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday - 2006
By the spring of 2006, the Immanuel Singers had three successful production concerts under their belts and would have ordinarily mounted a citywide publicized night concert around Easter. As a change of pace, we decided to do two consecutive in-house mini-concerts on Palm Sunday and the following Easter Sunday as part of the regular morning services. Instead of inviting the general public to a night event, the invitation was to come to church to hear the choir in-concert. Fortunately for us, the pastor and the board of elders were supportive friends of the music program and allowed us to take a half hour apiece in these two seasonal services. Below are selections from those two mini-concerts:
Instrumentation:
Violin, Alison Northup; recorder, Michael Roy; 'cello, Christy Littlejohn; piano, Diane M.
Jesus Christ is Risen Today: Arr. MR: This was the introit for Easter Sunday. Playing trumpets were Jan and Mac Cowden; MR was directing and playing trombone, with violin and 'cello, and paino also in the mix.
In Thee Is Gladness: In Dir Ist Fruede, Giovanni G. Gastoldi, ca. 1556-1622, setting by Daniel Kallman. MR directs and plays descant recorder; Alison Northup is on violin; Christy Littlejohn on 'cello; Diane Maltby at the piano. This Eastertide anthem is excellently performed.
How Brightly Shines the Morning Star: J. S. Bach - This choral classic is sung well by the Immanuel choir. An unusual part of this performance is the makeup of the quartet of instruments (plus piano) accompanying the choir: There is the expected two violins on top, and the 'cello on the bottom, but lacking a tenor voiced instrument, usually the viola, MR plays the bass flute.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: This performance,at Immanuel Presbyterian, (Palm Sunday Conc. - 2006) and features some early instruments with great bass krummhorn playing in consort and also with a rare solo (!) Mac Cowden plays tenor sackbut; Diane Maltby backs up with organ. This version is rather different, not the least, with the great bass krumm solo.
They Could Not: An excellent solo by Beverley Murdock, soprano; at the piano, Diane Maltby; playing elec. bass, Michael Roy.
Lift Up Your Heads: From Messiah, G. F. Handel
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory." Ps. 24-7-10.
Since By Man Came Death: From Messiah, G. F. Handel.
"Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." I Cor. 15:21, 22
Worthy Is the Lamb, from Messiah: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen." Rev. 5:12-14.
This mighty chorus from Handel's masterpiece is the finale of the oratorio. It is conceded to be level five choral music. This weighty choral piece would rarely be attempted by a non-professional church choir of only 15 singers. Nevertheless, the Immanuel Choir had the capability to sing this sprawling 7+ minute chorus, with its 7 pages of amens. The cellist and violinist joined in with the piano. Within the "amens," in the instrumental interlude, where a violin duet is written, MR plays the 2nd violin part on tenor baroque recorder. You have heard "Worthy Is the Lamb" performed by large symphonic choruses and professional chamber choirs,..now give a listen to a small, volunteer, resident church choir as it gives the great baroque chorus a praiseworthy rendition.