February 5, 2023

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) wrote little for the organ but wrote 11 chorale preludes the last summer of his life, most likely in memory of his dearest friend, Clara Schumann, who had passed on the year before. For this Sunday's prelude I will play No. 7, "O God, Thou Faithful God", playing the actual choral first, which was harmonized by J.S. Bach.

Our processional hymn is a favorite, 518, "Christ is made the sure foundation". Note that. although the text is 7th century, the music was written by the famous English composer of the Baroque period, Henry Purcell, who also composed the day's postlude. Yes, this is the man who composed a number of "trumpet tunes" you know well.

The tune for our Gospel hymn, 601, "O day of God, draw nigh", dates back to the same period as Purcell (16th century), but the text, as you may note, is 19th century. It is another familiar hymn to us at Calvary.

Though very familiar to us, I think, our anthem dates back even further -- before the Baroque period and to the end of the Renaissance period, what is called High Renaissance. It's Thomas Tallis's well-loved "If Ye Love Me". Tallis (1505-1585), somehow survived in the treacherous Tudor world, and, although seemingly Catholic at heart, managed to successfully write for the new Anglican faith. The famous William Bryd studied with him.

The first communion hymn, 609, "Where cross the crowded ways of life", is one of my favorites (and I don't think I am alone). The second is 581, "Where charity and love prevail"-- a beautiful text set to a familiar tune.

Closing the service, we will sing 594, that great hymn, "God of grace and God of Glory", the text by the famous Harry Emerson Fosdick.

As noted earlier, the postlude is by Purcell, and is his "Voluntary on the Doxology".