Elijah Rock - arr. Jester Hairston
Elijah: "Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth" - Felix Mendelssohn
We're Marching to Zion - arr. Carlton R. Young
Hymns: #129 Mowsley, #126 Dundee, #123 Tibi, Christe, Splendor Patris
The prelude this week was picked because of the communion anthem so I will start there. This is the Last Sunday of Epiphany and the Sunday that we acknowledge the Transfiguration and the appearance of Moses and Elijah on the mountain. Naturally, I again turned to Mendelssohn's Elijah for the aria "Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth," not only to capture the imagery of light that is so prevalent during Epiphany but also for the reminder that "All sorrow and mourning shall flee away forever," a message that we would do well to remember during the more somber Lenten season.
The prelude is by the Dutch composer Jan Albert van Eyken(1822-1868). I have frequently turned to Mendelssohn for service music when I have programmed other pieces by him and thought that this would be a nice change of pace but still, stylistically, a good match. Van Eyken was a highly sought after organist and composer throughout Holland and Germany during his short life. In 1845 (two years before Mendelssohn's death), he enrolled in the Leipzig Conservatory where his talent was recognized by Mendelssohn and encouraged. It was this encouragement that led him to devote himself to the organ. The second movement of his Sonata No. 2 in d minor Op. 15, alternates between a graceful melody played on a solo flute in the left hand and a more angular dotted figure played on the principals. The graceful flute melody returns and draws the piece to a quiet close.
For the gradual anthem and postlude I turned to the rich heritage of African American spirituals. The postlude is an arrangement of the gospel song "We're Marching to Zion" by Carlton R. Young(b. 1926). Mr. Young has served as professor of Church Music at several universities across the country. In addition to his work as a teacher and composer, Mr. Young has served as editor of two revisions (1966 and 1989) of the United Methodist Hymnal. Mr. Young continues to compose from his home in Nashville, TN. The arrangement features the tune prominently played in the left hand on the Trumpet stop while the right hand plays triplets accompanied by an "oom-pah" figure in the pedals. At the end it seems as though the pedals will have the last word until a high jazzy chord is played with the tremolo on (Hammond B-3 style) to finish.
The gradual anthem gives our bass section a thorough work out. "Elijah Rock" arranged by Jester Hairston - yes, that Jester Hairston, starts off with just the basses and builds to full choir in the middle before stripping parts away again and ending with the basses just as it started. The text of this piece often causes confusion. In doing some digging for the notes this week I found that a lot of people were inquiring on the meaning of the text. I also found that there really seemed to be no definitive answer. I do agree with the idea that some shared that the narrator is seeking help from these two Old Testament prophets. I also think that the reason these two were chosen is because they are both Biblical figures that were exiled and then taken by God into heaven. The reference of these two Biblical prophets - the ones that appeared on the mountain makes this an ideal piece for this week. Jester Hairston - whom I did not really remember, in addition to being a composer/arranger and choir director was also a very popular and will known film and TV star. His film credits include "To Kill a Mockingbird," "Lady Sings the Blues," and "Lilies of the Valley." He was probably best known for his roles on "Amos n' Andy" (radio and television) and "Amen" where he played deacon Rollie Forbes. Hairston has received honorary degrees from MAC, a school he enrolled in as a landscape architect as a very young man but, for financial reasons, was forced to leave and from his alma mater Tufts. Hairston has left a legacy as a choir director as well. He was known for his infectious energy and his ability to tell a story. in 1992 he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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