Advent 2 - December 4, 2011

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus - Richard Webster (Text by Charles Wesley)
Comfort, Comfort - arr. John Ferguson


Hymns: #76 Winchester New, #67 Psalm 42, #65 Bereden Vag for Herran

The setting of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus that we are singing this week is quite a challenge despite its deceptive simplicity. It is, for the majority of it, a two part anthem with men in unison and women in unison. The complexity comes both from the meter (7/8) and the harmonies. This arrangement comes to us at the recommendation of our Rector. Richard Webster is someone that she knows and has worked with. Mr. Webster has had quite an impressive career. He served as 

Organist and Choirmaster of the Parish Church of Saint Luke in Evanston, Illinois from 1974 to 2003 and is now the director of music at Trinity Church in Boston. The text of the piece is well known to us all and comes from the pen of the prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley. A major contribution of the Wesley brothers is the way in which they have made God more personal. Charles wrote of a God that "release us from fear" and "reign in us forever." This personal message is brought out in this anthem. We have a melody that dances a long without rush or hurry. This makes me consider the title of the text. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus. There is no rush, no hurry, he is expected and we know he will come at the appointed time. I would encourage you as you listen to this anthem to view the text that we all have heard every year in a new light. 

The communion anthem is also one of the hymns that we will sing. The arrangement is by John Ferguson, professor of organ and church music at St. Olaf college. The text and tune are very old. The tune comes to us from the Geneva Psalter edited by Louis Bourgeois, a French composer and theorist best known for compiling Calvinist hymn tunes. The text is a poetic translation by Catherine Winkworth of Johann G. Olearius' text based on Isaiah 40. Olearius is another well known compiler and author. He wrote a Bible commentary and compiled several important German hymnals. His text was translated by Catherine Winkworth, who is responsible for bringing all of the Lutheran chorale texts from Germany into the English speaking world. The text of this hymn is quite familiar, but again, I find that the tune and the setting dance along. 

Last weeks offerings showed some of the bleak, stark imagery of Advent while the music this week is filled with joyous expectation. Next week we will capture some of the mystery and wonder of the season. And then on to Advent 4 with Pergolesi and the joyous Song of Mary.