Week of October 22, 2012

Last week, (10/15/12) we posted a program note from “A Recital of Songs on Religious   Texts” and the text from Coleman Bark’s translation of the poem “One Song” by Rumi. Today I’m including a part of the program note from this recital entitled “John 3:16” (from Songs on Lenten Themes) with my introduction and a note by Marigene Kettler for your perusal.

Introduction: The idea for this group of pieces came about while attending a New Year’s Eve mass with family. The choice of Lenten themes simply reflects the time of year (early spring) when the project began to take shape. With this season in mind I asked each singer to choose a text for me to set to music.

Lent, as I have come to understand it, is a time when Christians are to focus their attention on the life of Jesus. The outcome of this meditation should bring about a change in our lives so that we may come to understand more fully the Love, Compassion and Grace of God and to do our best to convey to this to those around us.

(The selected verses leading up to 3:16 were included in the work because to me, Jesus’ words perfectly describe to the audience of His time and to ours what the prerequisites of faith are, what the continuity of scriptures (Old and New Testaments) denote and the eternal promise of God).

Program note by soprano, Marigene Kettler: When I read the words “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”, my breath catches in my throat. A sacrifice that holy and extraordinary breaks through all barriers and crosses all abysses. Matthew Baier’s setting of this famous text and the verses that precede it, float the listener as if “born of the spirit”. (John 3:8) As a believer, I know deeply what these words mean to me and is why I chose them for Matthew to set – but this setting opens the door through exquisite melody and carefully woven musical textures, for all to peer in and find their own place in its story.

 

John 3:16

3:3 Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.

3:5 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

3:11 Truly, truly I say to you, we speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and you do not receive our witness. 3:12 If I told you of earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things? 3:13 And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who has descended from heaven, even the Son of Man.

3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 3:15 that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

(New American Standard Bible Translation)

Directions to the Concert

As we mentioned earlier, we have a wonderful, new venue for the concert this year: The First Reformed Church of Nyack.  Like our previous venues, it is located right in downtown Nyack. Here are the directions:

Directions from the south and east:

Take the N.Y. State Thruway (I 87) north to exit 11 in Nyack. After the stop sign on the ramp go to the 1st light and turn right (This is Route 9w). Go straight to the 1st light and turn left onto Main St. Go down Main St. to the 3rd light and turn right onto Broadway. The First Reformed Church will be on your right at the next corner (S. Broadway and Burd)

Directions from the north and west:

Take the N.Y. State Thruway (I 87) south to exit 11 in Nyack. At the light make a left on to Route 59. Go to the light at the intersection of route 59 and route 9 w (Route 59 becomes Main St.) Proceed straight down Main Street to the third light (Broadway) and take a right. The First Reformed Church will be on your right at the next corner (S. Broadway and Burd)

Parking:

Free street parking from 6-11pm and there is a public lot at the corner of Cedar and Main Streets. Please check local signage for details.

Restaurants in Nyack:

There are many great dining choices right in Nyack if you want to grab a bite before the concert:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g48310-Nyack_New_York.html

We hope to see you there!!

 

 

 

Important Announcement — Venue Change!

Please note: We have had a change of venue for the November 17 concert. The concert will now be held at the First Reformed Church of Nyack, which is just around the corner from Grace Church, in downtown Nyack.

The address is:
18 South Broadway, Nyack N.Y. 10960

http://nyack.patch.com/listings/first-reformed-church-of-nyack

It is a lovely and spacious sanctuary, which will complement the music beautifully. We hope to see you there!!

 

October 15, 2012

 

 

 

 

The text of One Song translated from Persian to English by Coleman Barks is from one of his many books of Rumi translations called One Handed Basket Weaving. Opening the book I fortuitously came across this poem and the defining text of this recital was found.

 

One Song

 

What is praised in One,

So the praise is One too,

Many jugs being emptied

Into a huge basin.

All religion,

All this singing,

Is one song.

The differences are just

Illusion and vanity.

The sun’s light looks a little different

On this wall than it does on that wall,

And a lot different on this other one,

But it’s still one light.

We have borrowed these clothes,

These time and place personalities,

From a light and when we praise

We’re pouring them back in.

Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi 1207 – 1273